This happened last week. The REPUBLICAN majority in the Mississippi State House killed every single Medicaid expansion bill without even debating it.
These are bills that would’ve provided healthcare primarily to the working poor. 80% of Mississippians favor Medicaid expansion, but more importantly, there is a massive healthcare crisis in Mississippi.
Their only Burn Center has closed. The Delta’s only neonatal intensive care unit has closed. One of the state’s largest hospitals is months away from shutting its doors.
Five hospitals have closed across the state since 2005. Another 10 to 12 hospitals will probably be shut down by the end of this year.
Guess what would fix all of this? Immediately expanding Medicaid.
Why? About 12% of Mississippians are uninsured. They have one of the worst rates in the country. Hospitals are still required to provide lifesaving care for these people, and it’s bringing them to the brink of closing.
A billion dollars in Medicaid money would resolve this almost immediately, but Republican leadership in the state adamantly opposes Medicaid expansion because of “SOCIALISM!”
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said, “No, I don’t support expanding Medicaid in Mississippi. We’ve got to focus on economic development and jobs.”
Guess who can’t develop the economy or work? Sick people. Dead people can’t either.
Not to mention, Medicaid expansion would create more than 11,000 jobs in the state. But republican lawmakers rejected all of that.
What are they working on instead? Take one guess. “At least 31 anti-LGBTQ+ bills”. It’s the only move they have left. Don’t wait till you get sick to figure it out.
DON’T VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS!