Advocates Advocate for Full Medicaid Expansion as Mississippi Legislators Begin Negotiations

Advocates Rally for Full Medicaid Expansion in Mississippi

A coalition of advocates gathered at the Mississippi Capitol on Tuesday to push for full Medicaid expansion in the state. The rally comes as lawmakers are in the midst of negotiations to extend health care coverage to tens of thousands of residents in one of the poorest states in the U.S.

Members of Working Together Mississippi, a coalition of religious and nonprofit groups, emphasized the economic and moral imperative of expanding health care coverage to more citizens. They called on lawmakers to take full advantage of federal funding to improve the state’s health outcomes and save struggling hospitals.

Speakers at the rally urged lawmakers to pass a bill that covers people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, as opposed to a competing Senate proposal that would only cover those earning up to 100% of that threshold. The pressure campaigns come as lawmakers work to reach a consensus on the final plan.

The Senate’s proposal includes a stricter work requirement that may not be approved by the Biden Administration, potentially making the state ineligible for additional federal funding. Despite opposition from Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, advocates argue that Medicaid expansion could help address Mississippi’s high rate of preventable deaths and disparities in health care.

Leaders from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim institutions emphasized the economic benefits and moral imperative of full expansion, regardless of party affiliation. The push for Medicaid expansion in Mississippi reflects a shift in the state’s health care policy and a growing recognition of the need to improve access to care for all residents.