Mississippi House Medicaid Committee Chairman Rep. Missy McGee discusses the cost of Medicaid expansion at a public legislative conference committee meeting held at the State Capitol on April 23, 2024, in Jackson, Mississippi. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
In late March, the Senate passed its own pared-down version that would extend eligibility to people earning up to 100% of the federal poverty level, just over $15,000 for one person. Senate Medicaid Committee Chairman Kevin Blackwell, a Republican from Southaven, said about 80,000 people would become eligible for coverage but he thought about half that number would enroll.
House Medicaid Committee Chairwoman Missy McGee, a Republican from Hattiesburg, offered a compromise Tuesday. It would allow Mississippi to receive the full amount of federal money possible for Medicaid expansion. People earning up to 100% of the federal poverty level would be covered by Medicaid, while those earning between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level would receive subsidies to buy insurance through a federal health insurance exchange.
Senators offered no new proposals Tuesday and did not immediately respond to the one from the House. Blackwell said it's significant that the two chambers are discussing expansion, but he cautioned against moving fast.
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"In the House’s case, I think you guys want to jump in the sports car and zoom right to expansion — damn the roadblocks and let’s get there," Blackwell said. "Those of us in the Senate want to take sort of a more slower approach to that."
McGee responded: "I don't feel like we have been in a Ferrari very long. I think we have been waiting 10 years. ... We don't need to push this off any longer for our low-income yet hardworking Mississippians."
Mississippi legislators usually meet in private to negotiate final versions of bills, but they agreed this year to hold open meetings on Medicaid expansion. Tuesday's meeting ended up as standing-room only, with some spectators arriving hours early.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mississippi-senate-house-haggle-medicaid-expansion-session-nears-end