Mississippi Lt. Governor proposing Medicaid expansion bill

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – For years lawmakers in Mississippi have pushed back on expanding Medicaid in the state.

But that could all change this year.

A proposal from Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, first reported by Mississippi Today, would make it possible.

He believes it must happen for the state to remain competitive.

If approved, it could provide coverage from more than 200,000 Mississippians.

Hosemann spoke with Action News 5′s sister station WLBT in Jackson on Friday.

“So you saw us in prior years, raise our teacher salaries, our test scores have gone up dramatically,” said Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann. Then we’re going to do this year tuition free credit, last dollar credit to go to community colleges in Mississippi. So all of this is working in conjunction with the other part, which is I gotta have a healthy worker.”

The bill would require proof of work and an insurance contribution.

Mississippians making $15,000 to $41,000 a year for a family of four would qualify.

Governor Tate Reeves told Action News 5 in November, he opposed expansion saying it didn’t make “financial sense”.

If Hosemann’s proposal passes, the governor could veto it if he wanted to.

But Hoseman believes now is the time if Mississippi wants to keep up with other nearby states.

“Our workforce will need to change to be competitive and to be there, they have to be educated and healthy,” said Hosemann.

The lieutenant governor says this proposal has been filed after working with both lawmakers from the house and senate.

We’ll keep you updated on its progress.

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