JACKSON, Miss.–A new version of Medicaid expansion that made it out of the state Senate Medicaid Committee Wednesday is being called “expansion light”, because of a more stringent work requirement and the fewer number of Mississippians who could potentially qualify for Medicaid.
“We have a conservative bill over here. The House bill was basically straight up expansion,” said committee Chairman Sen. Kevin Blackwell.
The House bill was overwhelmingly supported by Delta representatives, save Republicans from DeSoto County.
The new version requires someone to be working at least 30 hours per week and be at about 100 percent the federal poverty level, or in other words make about $15,000 per year or less, to qualify.
“We put work requirements in to make sure that’s the population we’re addressing,” said Sen. Nicole Boyd. “It could help up to 80,000 people.”
The work requirement is a hang-up for some lawmakers. Sen. John Horne said he believes the bill, if it becomes law, would not be approved by the national Centers for Medicaid.
“On the one hand they can see the reddest state in the country pass a bill to expand Medicaid. On the other hand, the work requirement is something they’ve never approved in the past,” he said.
Gov. Tate Reeves remains an opponent to any form of Medicaid expansion, repeatedly calling “expanding welfare” on social media.
