‘Mississippians need access to affordable healthcare’: advocates urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid

The calls for Medicaid expansion are growing louder. Thursday, the group “Care 4 Mississippi” gathered at the courthouse, pleading for your lawmakers to pass legislation on this issue. One of the people speaking at the podium was Lakeisha Preston, who lives in Lawrence County. “I am a single mother of a beautiful seven-year-old boy,” she said. “I am also a full-time employee in the Medicaid coverage gap.”Preston is one of roughly 200,000 people in the state stuck in the insurance coverage gap. People who are in the gap make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but still not enough money to afford private insurance. ”I rely on Medicaid for my son because it’s impossible to afford family healthcare coverage with my salary,” Preston expressed. “This is what it’s like to be a part of the coverage gap.” Her son qualifies for Medicaid and she has an option for healthcare coverage through her job, but Preston said she cannot afford the premiums. Now she’s urging lawmakers to pass legislation on this matter.