Summary:
Current Status of Medicaid Expansion in State:
State has decided not to expand, but subject to change.
Decision Process:
Governor Bryant decided that the state would not expand Medicaid by execute order, but Mississippi House Democrats succeeded in blocking the Medicaid budget to force a vote on the expansion.
Background:
· Currently:
26% of Mississippi residents are enrolled in Medicaid. 76% of all beneficiaries have managed care. The current Medicaid program covers up to 200% FPL depending on the specific program. The Mississippi Division of Medicaid oversees the state's Medicaid program.
· Expansion:
An expansion of Medicaid to 133% FPL would be a 41% increase over current enrollment.
· Process:
The governor's office has said that while the ACA promises money to states, it would come with too many costs.
State Activity:
· Mississippi was one of the states that sued for repeal of the ACA.
· In his recommendation to the state legislature, Governor Bryant rejected a federally mandated solution and raising Medicaid costs.
· Mississippi has serious health issues, and supporters of the ACA fear that politics of the very conservative state will keep it from participating in a program that requires states to pay a portion of costs though it has accepted similar funding in the past for highway construction and disaster relief.
· Mississippi has created an education and outreach program for the exchange, but there has not been the same level of engagement for an expansion since the state decided against it.
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