Gov. Reeves Omits Medicaid Expansion in State Address
TL/DR –
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves did not address the issue of Medicaid expansion, which he has opposed for over a decade, during his annual State of the State address. Instead, he focused on economic development and education, proposing the creation of 12 new math and engineering schools and improvements in technology across state government. Despite his avoidance of the subject, momentum is growing in the Mississippi Legislature for Medicaid expansion, with Republican House Speaker Jason White filing legislation to expand Medicaid and Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann also indicating his leadership team’s interest in the issue.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Omits Medicaid Expansion in State of the State Address
Despite recent momentum in the Mississippi Legislature to expand Medicaid, Governor Tate Reeves did not address the issue in his recent State of the State address, a move some lawmakers found problematic. GOP House Speaker Jason White and Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann have expressed support for Medicaid expansion in an effort to provide health insurance to poor working Mississippians. However, instead of addressing this issue, Reeves focused on his vision of making Mississippi a new hub for American manufacturing.
Lawmakers Echo Concerns over State’s Healthcare Crisis
Lawmakers like Democratic Representative Timaka James-Jones emphasized the need for state officials to urgently address the lack of hospitals and access to healthcare, particularly in areas such as the Mississippi Delta. James-Jones said, “We definitely need to have a candid conversation about health care.”
Reeves’ Vision for Mississippi
Despite the criticism, Reeves, who announced two major economic development projects earlier this year, believes jobs returning to America will benefit Mississippi. Reeves expressed his ambition for the state, saying, “We can make Mississippi the new American capital of manufacturing, industry, and agribusiness.” To achieve these goals, he advocates for significant investment in transportation infrastructures like airports, rails, and ports, as well as Mississippi’s highway system.
Education Reform Amid Healthcare Crisis
In terms of education, Governor Reeves proposed the establishment of 12 mathematics and engineering schools across the state and called for improving technology across state government. He also called for the formation of a task force to bolster public safety. However, Democratic Representative Robert Johnson insisted that healthcare must be addressed in order for Mississippi to move forward, especially considering the state’s high uninsured residents rate and poor health outcomes.
Democrats’ Response
Johnson also expressed support for traditional Medicaid expansion but proposed a further-reaching plan, stating, “This hybrid plan – a 50/50 combination of traditional Medicaid expansion with private options and premium assistance – will provide insurance coverage to the people that need it most.” Johnson further urged the governor to bring the same zeal for economic development to underprivileged, Black-majority areas of the state, as in more affluent, White-majority areas.
Johnson reiterated, “We’re a better place when we work together and overcome our differences for the good of the people we represent.” He and other lawmakers are left to wonder whether Governor Reeves’ call for unity will extend to the expansion of Medicaid in Mississippi.
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