JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi lawmakers will take Medicaid expansion talks to conference negotiations to try and work out a deal that would bring more healthcare coverage options to working Mississippians.

Advocates have been urging lawmakers to act throughout the session. Working Together Mississippi advocates were at the State Capitol on Thursday to put their support behind the House version of Medicaid expansion.

Both chambers have passed their respective plans, but pro-expansion advocates have favored the House plan. It would cover an estimated 200,000 working Mississippians making up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which is nearly $21,000 a year for one person.

The Senate plan covers an estimated 80,000 working Mississippians making up to 99% of the federal poverty level, which is slightly over $15,000 a year for one person.

Expansion talks will be moving to conference where lawmakers will work on a compromise.

“The Senate’s version, dubbed ‘Medicaid Expansion Lite,’ would actually cost the state more than full expansion and cover one fifth of as many people. We therefore call upon the conferees from the House and the Senate to reach a compromise that fully expands Medicaid up to 138% of the federal poverty line,” said Bishop Ronnie Crudup, senior pastor with New Horizon Church International.

The House conferees will include current House Medicaid Committee Chairwoman Missy McGee, Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Sam Creekmore, and former Medicaid Committee Chairman Joey Hood. The Senate has not yet announced its conferees.

“Nobody has more sick people than Mississippi. Don’t look at our sisters and brothers in a ditch and throw them a Band-Aid and then hope that they can crawl out of the ditch on their own. Let’s get down in the ditch with our sisters and brothers and care for them until they are well,” said Jason Coker, president for Together for Hope.