Mississippi

Mississippi passes quicker pregnancy Medicaid coverage to try to reduce deaths of moms and babies

Published

10 months ago

February 29, 2024

Mississippi passes quicker pregnancy Medicaid coverage to try to reduce deaths of moms and babies

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Legislature is sending a bill to the governor that will allow women with low incomes to get Medicaid coverage earlier in pregnancy, in an effort to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies in a state with abysmal rates of maternal and infant mortality.

The state Senate approved a House proposal that allows up to 60 days of “presumptive eligibility” for Medicaid, starting July 1. Pregnant women declaring a net income of up to 194% of the federal poverty level would be able to get outpatient care paid by Medicaid for up to two months, while her application for the government insurance program is being considered.

The legislation now heads to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who hasn’t said whether he will sign or veto it.

“We are not a healthy state,” said Republican Sen. Nicole Boyd of Oxford. “According to all leading health care experts, the most critical mechanism to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk is to get adequate prenatal care.”

Deaths from pregnancy complications have increased in Mississippi in recent years. The state ranks worst in the U.S. for infant mortality, with Black infants nearly twice as likely as white ones to die over the past decade, according to a report unveiled Jan. 18 by the state Department of Health. The state preterm birth rate and maternal mortality rate also lag the rest of the nation.

Those metrics could be improved if low-income women could seek health services earlier in the pregnancy, proponents argue.

Mississippi’s income-based Medicaid plan covers the entire pregnancy for women whose families make no more than about twice the federal poverty level, and last year the state extended postpartum Medicaid coverage for the birth mother from two months to a full year.

Presumptive Medicaid eligibility during pregnancy would still be based on income. If a woman’s Medicaid application is ultimately rejected because her income is too high, Medicaid would still pay health care providers for services they provided during the time of presumptive eligibility.

The bill does not introduce any new eligibility category or expand Medicaid coverage. It would cost the state about $567,000, far less than the cost of treating large numbers of preterm births, Boyd said.

The state is expecting more births each year as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision last summer overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which had established a nationwide constitutional protection for abortion. The court used a Mississippi case to overturn the case, a legal effort the state’s leaders have lauded.

In 2023, Mississippi extended postpartum Medicaid coverage for the birth mother from two months to a full year. Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said the latest measure was another way to shore up support for mothers.

“Pro-life is pro-child. Mississippi mothers need access to healthcare the moment they find out they are pregnant and this legislation will accomplish that,” Hosemann said in a written statement.

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Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

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Mississippi

MDOC searches for escaped prisoner from South Mississippi Correctional Institution

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

MDOC searches for escaped prisoner from South Mississippi Correctional Institution

The Mississippi Department of Corrections, with the help of other authorities, is searching for a prisoner who escaped Tuesday afternoon from the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville.

Drew Johnson, 33, has blond hair and blue eyes. He weighs 200 pounds and is 6 feet tall.

Johnson was sentenced in 2022 to life in prison for a homicide/murder in Rankin County.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Johnson should contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

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Mississippi

MDOC searching for escaped inmate out of South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville

Published

14 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

MDOC searching for escaped inmate out of South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville

LEAKESVILLE, Miss. (WLOX) – The Mississippi Department of Corrections, with the help of other authorities, is searching for an inmate who escaped the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville Tuesday afternoon.

According to an alert sent out by the Greene County Emergency Management office, 33-year-old Drew Johnson escaped from the facility around 3:30 p.m. He’s currently serving a life sentence for murder.

He was sentenced on February 14, 2022.

Drew Johnson is described as a 6′0″ male with blue eyes, blonde hair, and 200 pounds.(Mississippi Department of Corrections)

Johnson is described as a 6′0″ male with blue eyes, blond hair, and 200 pounds. He was last seen near Old Highway 24 in Leakesville.

Crews are still out searching for him as of 8:03 p.m. If you have any details regarding the incident or see Johnson, officials say to call 911.

We will update this story as new details become available.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.

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Mississippi

What MS Coast casino restaurants are open Christmas Day? Here’s our list

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

What MS Coast casino restaurants are open Christmas Day? Here’s our list

Christmas on the Coast is a tradition for many families throughout the Southeast. Mississippi Coast casinos are ready to welcome them with open arms and open restaurants.

Below are the casinos open for dining on Christmas Day, some with limited holiday fare. Reservations may be required for some restaurants.

875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-386-7111.

BR Prime

Reservations required.

Holiday Bouillabaisse, Icy Blue Mussels, Little Neck Clams, Gulf Shrimp, Seabass $15
Prime Rib with Demi Glace, Thyme Horseradish Cream, Hasselback Potatoes, Heirloom Carrots, Roasted Brussels Sprouts $72
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cheesecake $15

Salt and Ivy

Reservations encouraged.

Christmas Feature $38: Crab, Shrimp and Spinach-stuffed Flounder with Dill Bearnaise, Wild Mushroom Farro and White Wine-Garlic Broccolini

The Buffet

Holiday Brunch: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Adults, $32.99; Children, $19.99; Under 4, free.

Holiday Lunch/Dinner: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Adults, $49.99; Children $25.99; Under 4, free.Free Under 4

Features include herb-crusted prime rib, spicy shrimp boil, NOLA BBQ shrimp and grilled sirloin

151 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-435-5400.

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Reservations recommended. Restaurant hours: noon to 9 p.m.

The Chateaubriand three-course menu for two includes Chateaubriand with Roasted Shallots, Red Wine Demi Reduction, Sauce Bearnaise and Au Jus; Winter Salad to share; choice of two sides; and choice of desserts for $179. Lobster tails or mini crab cakes are available at an extra cost.

Lillie’s Asian Cuisine

Restaurant hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saltgrass Steak House

Restaurant hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Restaurant hours: noon to 8 p.m.

Michael Patrick’s

Restaurant hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-374-7625.

Christmas Day Buffet, $39.99 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Menu includes starters, a carving station, Satisfaction favorites such as Southern Fried Chicken and Stuffed Crabs, Asian Cuisine, sides and desserts.

711 Hollywood Blvd., Bay St. Louis, 228-469-2100.

Epic Buffet

Restaurant hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Epic Buffet features more than 80 dishes including Crab Legs, Peel and Eat Shrimp, Southern barbecue, Asian cuisine, Creole, Italian and fresh seafood.

3300 West Beach Blvd., Gulfport, 228-314-2100.

The Buffet

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Low Country Crawfish Bisque; Creole Seafood Gumbo; Carrot Soufflé Casserole; Praline-Crusted Sweet Potatoes; Orange Chicken with Vegetables; Crispy Fried Shrimp; Carved Roast Turkey; Carved Strip Loin of Beef; Cornbread Dressing; Sliced Roast Turkey in Giblet Gravy; Carved Round of Beef, Smoked Ham and Cajun Fried Turkey; Cranberry Compote; Roasted Salmon Loin; Boiled Gulf Shrimp with Remoulade Sauce; Happy Family Shrimp and Vegetables; Smoked Pork with all the Trimmings; and more, $29.99.

C and G Grille

Christmas Day hours: 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., $26.

Choice of Starter: Seafood Gumbo or House Salad
Choice of Entrée: Roast Turkey and Dressing or Glazed Bone-In Ham Steak. Each served with Green Bean Casserole, Candied Sweet Potatoes and Cranberry Compote
Dessert: Cookie Butter Banana Pie

The Diner

Christmas Day hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., $20.

Choice of Starter: House Salad or Seafood Gumbo
Entrée: Roast Turkey with Dressing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce and Green Beans
Dessert: Sweet Potato Pie with Whipped Cream

Dockside Deli

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., $21.

Starter: Crab and Corn Bisque or Seafood Gumbo
Choice of Entrée: Debris-Style Turkey Dressing, Green Beans, Cranberry Compote and Carrot Soufflé Casserole or Sausage Sampler with pineapple jalapeno, knockwurst and green onion sausages. Served with red kraut and warm potato salad.
Dessert: Spiced Applesauce Cake

Prime Cut Restaurant

Christmas Day hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $45.

Starter: Crab and Artichoke-Stuffed Mushrooms Drizzled with Hollandaise
Choice of Entrée: Beef Tenderloin au Poivre or Pan-Seared Sea Bass with lemon beurre blanc. Each served with a side of choice
Dessert: Pumpkin Swiss Cake Roll

158 Howard Ave., Biloxi, 228-432-8888

Restaurant hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., $40.

Traditional Christmas menu plus Prime Rib, Smoked Baked Ham, Sliced Turkey Breast, Boiled Shrimp and dishes from the Grill, Comfort, Wok and Coastal stations.

9380 Central Ave., D’Iberville, 888-752-9772.

Under the Oak Cafe

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Herb Dijon Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes Puree, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries and an Herb Dijon Reduction, $25.
Creamy Eggnog Bread Pudding, $14.

Scarlet’s Steaks and Seafood

Reservations recommended. Christmas Day hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Lobster Thermidor, Broiled Coldwater Stuffed Lobster topped with Mushroom Cognac Cream Sauce, Parmigiana Reggiano, Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs and Wilted Arugula Salad, $80.
Beef Wellington, 8-ounce filet mignon, with Mushroom Duxelles, Prosciutto and baked in Puff Pastry, served with Bordelaise Sauce, $78.
Creme de Mint Cheesecake, $13

5000 South Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, 228-469-2777.

Jubilee Buffet

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Traditional holiday menu plus, all-you-can-eat Dungeness Crab and Jumbo Shrimp, $49.95.

Blue Bayou Bar and Grill

$58 per person.

Salad: Baby Spinach with Candied Pecans, Dried Cranberries, Mandarin Orange, Goat Cheese, Roasted Cacao Nibs and a Citrus Vinaigrette.
Entrée: Choice of Crispy Roasted Half Duck, Braised Red Cabbage, Port Wine Demi Glaze and Whipped Roasted Garlic Mash or Blackened Pork Loin, Pomegranate Glaze, Bacon Braised Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Gratin

1980 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-385-6000.

Infinity Buffet

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Carved ham, roasted turkey, roast brisket and more, $47.99 with crab, $25.49 without crab.

The Den

Christmas Day hours: 11 a.m. to midnight.

Bacon-wrapped stuffed pork loin, $38; or prime rib, $45.

The following casinos will be open Christmas Day but restaurant options were not available:

280 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-436-2946.

850 Bayview Ave, Biloxi, 228-436-3000.

Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X  @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

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