Senate Medicaid ‘expansion light’ would insure fewer than House plan, turn down federal money
Senate leaders this week are trying to drum up votes for a Medicaid “expansion light” proposal that would cover far fewer uninsured Mississippians — about 49,000 less — than a House-passed bill and would leave hundreds of millions of federal dollars on the table. Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and […]
Pastor urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid rushed to hospital after collapsing at Capitol
A minister collapsed at the Mississippi State Capitol on Wednesday while standing with fellow clergy members pleading with lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage to some of the state’s poorest residents. The Rev. Darryl Magee, senior pastor at St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church in Bolton, was carried away from the building by ambulance after experiencing a […]
Insurance chief says he supports Medicaid expansion — but only for the poorest Mississippians
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said he supports expanding Medicaid to provide health care coverage — but only for Mississippians earning less than 100% of the federal poverty level, or those earning up to $15,000 annually. Federal law allows states to provide Medicaid coverage to those earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, […]
Inside Mississippi’s coverage gap, workers say health care is a ‘pipe dream’ or ‘whimsical idea’
When Brandon Allred woke up in the hospital after suffering heat stroke and a series of seizures at work, all he could think about was how much it was going to cost. It was a legitimate concern: Seven years later, he’s still paying off the medical debt. “It’s not just anxiety,” the 35-year-old father said, […]
Senate killing its Medicaid expansion bill without a vote, continues work on a plan
The Republican-controlled Senate will delay voting on a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to the working poor this week while it works to build support among members for its own version of an expansion plan. Senate Medicaid Committee Chairman Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, on Tuesday said that he will let a Senate bill to expand Medicaid […]
Senate passes measure restricting jailing of people with mental illness
On Tuesday morning, Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, got a phone call from a Mississippi community mental health center staffer who wanted to share a story. A few days earlier, a man had filed an affidavit to initiate commitment proceedings against his wife. Having recently lost three family members and close friends, she wouldn’t get out […]
Gov. Tate Reeves privately tells senators he will veto any Medicaid expansion bill
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves summoned a group of state senators to the Governor’s Mansion in early March and privately told them he will veto any Medicaid expansion bill lawmakers pass, two senators told Mississippi Today. Reeves invited the group of about 15 senators to the Governor’s Mansion to socialize with him — a common occurrence […]
Where’s the plan? Senate still has only ‘dummy bill’ for Medicaid expansion
Facing a Thursday deadline for passage, the state Senate leadership has refused to detail its Medicaid expansion plan, leaving members in the dark and health experts worried the plan could ultimately include elements that are unfeasible, costly and counterproductive. Two-and-a-half months into the legislative session, and after 10 years of debate, Senate Medicaid Chairman Kevin […]
House approves limits to jailing people with mental illness charged with no crime
The House approved legislation strictly limiting when Mississippians can be jailed solely on the basis of mental illness, when they have not been charged with any crime– something that currently happens hundreds of times a year. Similar language in the Senate is awaiting a floor vote. Currently, state law allows people to be jailed during […]
Mississippi manufacturers voice support for Medicaid expansion plan
The Mississippi Manufacturers Association voiced support for the House Medicaid expansion plan, which would make Mississippi the 41st state to expand Medicaid to cover the working poor, in a social media post. The group cited new economic development projects this year as a reason to expand Medicaid coverage in the state with the lowest workforce […]