Rev. Charlton Johnson only joined Together for Hope as leader of its Delta region in September, but he began thinking about Medicaid expansion long before that. Together for Hope, an […]
In the News
Former Tupelo mayor and prominent businessman pushes for Medicaid expansion
The Politics Holding Back Medicaid Expansion in Some Southern States
Advocates for expanding Medicaid say opposition is largely being driven by political polarization, rather than cost concerns. Givens, who is also chair of the board of trustees for the Mississippi […]
Will Gov. Tate Reeves have to flip position on Medicaid expansion to keep pace with Trump?
Medicaid has been expanded as is allowed under the ACA in 40 states, and a record number of Americans (20 million) have health insurance through another component of the ACA, […]
Local legislators response to medicaid expansion dying
Lincoln County legislators Sen. Jason Barrett and Rep. Becky Currie offered reflections on the Mississippi legislature failing to expand Medicaid at a legislative breakfast held on May 16. Talks at […]
State health exchange becomes law in shadow of Medicaid expansion fight
HB 1647 also creates the Mississippi Health Insurance State Exchange Trust Fund that is to be used to support the creation, implementation or operation of the state exchange overseen by the […]
Speaker White’s Holmes County background colors his views on Medicaid expansion
There is a reason first-term House Speaker Jason White has been more out front in his support of Medicaid expansion than perhaps any other Mississippi Republican leader. Granted, Lt. Gov. […]
Missed opportunity, yes, but Medicaid expansion prospects changed this session
One thing is certain, the Mississippi Legislature in 2024 saw and heard an effective demonstration of the depth and breadth of public support for an expanded Medicaid program that provides […]
What’s being said about the failure to pass Medicaid expansion?
Now that the dust is settling, advocates say their frustrations are fueling them to push ahead. “Recognize the bravery that it took to even get this far,” said Mississippi’s Black Women’s Roundtable Executive Director Cassandra Welchlin. “But […]
Hosemann wrench doomed Medicaid expansion
Some suggested Hosemann has decided to run for governor in 2027. They saw his obstinacy as a move to appease the more conservative wing of the Mississippi Republican Party. Others […]
Mississippi’s First Serious Bid to Expand Medicaid Collapses
Work requirements have long been central to the Republican goal of instilling a sense of “personal responsibility” in people who benefit from government programs. Data suggests that the majority of Medicaid enrollees […]
Medicaid expansion dies in Mississippi Legislature
Despite months of work from both House and Senate lawmakers to expand Medicaid, the legislation that could have given about 200,000 working poor Mississippians healthcare has died. After House and […]
Believe it or not, Medicaid expansion is advancing in Mississippi
Success is by no means a sure thing. The compromise will still need to clear both chambers and probably overcome a gubernatorial veto. Just as importantly, as the Mississippi Free […]
Mississippi Democrats Could Tank ‘Medicaid Expansion In Name Only,’ Leader Warns
A Medicaid expansion plan endorsed by leaders in the Republican-led Mississippi Legislature could struggle for bipartisan support because it includes a work requirement that is unlikely to receive federal approval, […]
Medicaid Expansion Compromise Plan With No Guarantee of Expanded Care Will Get A Vote
House leaders had opposed the Senate’s strict work requirement because it would prevent Medicaid expansion from taking effect unless the federal government approves the kind of work-requirement waiver that it […]
Why many House Democrats say they’ll vote against a bill that is ‘Medicaid expansion in name only’
For a decade, House Democrats have been beating the drum — often when it seemed no one else was listening — to expand Medicaid to provide health care for working […]
Mississippi lawmakers expected to vote on Medicaid expansion plan with work requirement
Mississippi lawmakers are expected to vote this week on a proposal that would expand Medicaid coverage to tens of thousands more people, but it includes a work requirement that might […]
Opinion: Increasing health care access aligns with Mississippi values
“Mississippians deserve to have access to high-quality acute and preventative medical care,” writes Dr. John Gaudet, an associate professor at the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He says […]
Opinion | ‘Mississippi Health Care Is Broken’: Putting Politics Over Patients Harms All
Too many Mississippians are caught in the “coverage gap” where they make “too much” for Medicaid, but “not enough” to cover affordable private insurance. This traps Mississippians in cycles of […]
Religious leaders urge lawmakers to fully expand Medicaid in Mississippi
There was but one demand made by religious leaders and hundreds of people who gathered Tuesday on the southern steps of the Mississippi State Capitol Building regarding Medicaid expansion efforts […]
‘A matter of life and death:’ Hundreds rally at Capitol for full Medicaid expansion
Hundreds of doctors, clergy and other Mississippians from over 35 communities across the Magnolia State shared stories of their own at a “Full Expansion Day” rally at the Capitol. They […]
Business leaders urge legislators mulling Medicaid expansion to improve access to health care
Powerful business groups are urging legislative leaders “to work together” to improve health care access as they negotiate whether to expand Medicaid coverage for Mississippians and by how much. “Access […]
Mississippi Capitol sees second day of hundreds rallying for ‘full Medicaid expansion now’
Hundreds of people rallied at the Mississippi Capitol for a second day Wednesday, urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid to provide health coverage for an estimated 200,000 Mississippians.
Groups of lawmakers, health care workers and businesses call for full Medicaid expansion
Several business organizations are joining the fight to try to get state lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage.It comes as the Senate and House have appointed members to the conference committee […]