JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Monday was another deadline day for the Mississippi Legislature, and healthcare was once again the headlining topic of the day.
Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R-Miss.) announced that a bill would be filed that would expand Medicaid for working Mississippians. This is the first Republican step towards Medicaid expansion for quite sometime, and it’s similar to what House Democrats have pitched.
Hosemann’s plan is expected to cover more than 200,000 Mississippians. As of right now, Hosemann said he’s confident something will get passed.
The lieutenant governor’s plan includes a work requirement, as well as a personal insurance contribution based off salary.
“People who are working will be able to pay a premium, smaller premium than we would pay. You and I would pay a premium and have health insurance coverage. I anticipate some taxes like on hospitals that will help pay the difference to where we would be out of pocket is a state pretty much neutral in our expenses, so it shouldn’t cost us any money. But by the same token, we will have this health care coverage for people,” said Hosemann.
The bill would cover those making up to 138% of the federal poverty level, an annual salary of about $43,000 for a family of four. Hosemann hopes the proposal can get some people back on their feet.
“We have a 53% labor force participation rate that’s not sustainable. So to do that, we’ve got to have educated people and healthy people, and this is a way we get them healthy. So, I’m hopeful very hopeful,” he stated.
Many Democrats are looking forward to working on a bill that will expand coverage, especially given the political climate.
“Leadership in the House is talking about this. The leadership in the Senate is talking about this. Rank and file members are talking about it. So, there’s a different atmosphere. And I think we may do something, but I do not predict what the legislature will do,” said State Sen. Hob Bryan (D-District 7).
The details of the bill are expected to be worked out in joint hearings between the House and Senate Medicaid committees.