JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Efforts to expand Medicaid to roughly 200,000 Mississippians during the 2024 Legislative Session have died.

Negotiations broke down between House and Senate leaders late Wednesday night after the House unveiled a new proposal that would call for a ballot referendum for Mississippi voters to have the final say on Medicaid expansion.

A previous compromise measure between both chambers would have offered healthcare coverage to roughly 200,000 Mississippians making up to 138% of the federal poverty level. That’s a little more than $20,000 a year for one person. It also included a 20 hour weekly work requirement.

Many House Democrats voiced their opposition to the measure and rumors circulated over whether the Senate could pass the measure.

Mississippi remains one of 10 states in the country that have not expanded Medicaid.

Both House and Senate leaders have said publicly that Medicaid expansion could be considered during the next Legislative Session.