The Mississippi Senate has recently passed a Medicaid expansion bill, which aims to cover individuals aged 19-64 up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and includes a 120-hour monthly work requirement. This legislative move, however, marks a significant departure from the version passed by the House, leading to uncertainties about the final outcome of this session. The Senate's bill, which passed with a veto-proof majority of 37-15, is expected to proceed to a conference committee to reconcile differences with the House's version. This development is part of a broader effort in Mississippi, a state with the lowest life expectancy and highest poverty rate in the U.S., to expand Medicaid—a move that has faced years of political opposition, especially from Republicans. The latest attempt, spearheaded by GOP lawmakers in the state House, represents the most promising effort yet, despite the Senate's version potentially costing the state more while covering fewer people. A senator described the Senate's bill as "This is not Obamacare" but "a very responsible and conservative bill." Advocates argue that Medicaid expansion could significantly impact Mississippi, one of the most uninsured states in the nation.
NEW: The Mississippi Senate stripped out the House Medicaid expansion bill and replaced it with one that could cost the State millions more while covering less people. "This is not Obamacare" but "a very responsible and conservative bill," a senator said. https://t.co/Jjq96UVv3I
Advocates in Mississippi have tried for years to expand Medicaid, only to see those efforts collapse under political opposition, particularly from Republicans. The latest attempt, led by GOP lawmakers in the state House, has been the most promising yet. https://t.co/nBU485h9uR
In Mississippi, a state that reports the lowest life expectancy and highest poverty rate in the United States and ranks among the most uninsured states in the nation, #Medicaid expansion could make a significant difference. https://t.co/SfzuPIf70f
The Mississippi Senate has passed Medicaid expansion, but its plan is miles away from what the House passed. So still very much tbd what happens this session! https://t.co/pC6BbacSLm
BREAKING: MS Senate passes a Medicaid expansion bill with a veto-proof majority, 37-15. While the Senate bill does not fully expand Medicaid we expect it to head to a conference committee so they can work with the House. This is BIG! 🥳🥳🥳
BREAKING: MS Senate passes their Medicaid expansion bill. It would cover those aged 19-64 up to 100% FPL and implement a 120 hour monthly work requirement. This measure moves on to the House. @WJTV https://t.co/UFDfpyz4N0