JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi lawmakers face one of the final deadlines of the 2024 Legislative Session this weekend before the end of the session.

The three biggest issues headed to conference negotiations include Medicaid expansion, education funding and the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Mississippi.

Medicaid expansion has been the ruling issue this session. We asked House Speaker Jason White (R-District 48) what the red line is for House conferees at the Medicaid expansion negotiating table. He said the House is firm in their plan, which expands Medicaid to 138% of the federal poverty level. This move would impact about 200,000 Mississippians.

“We want to cover up to 138% of the federal poverty level because that takes advantage of the 9010 match that the Affordable Care Act offers to states that participate. And I think anything short of that it would be foolish to go into our traditional Medicaid match of 76 or 77% if it starts not making as much sense, and it’s really not covering the folks that it was intended to cover,” White stated.

The Senate plan would expand Medicaid for those making up to 99% of the federal poverty level. This plan would likely cover about 40,000 Mississippians.

White said the House and Senate conferees plan to meet in public on Tuesday, April 23.