Who will the proposed Medicaid expansion help?

After nearly 100,000 people were dropped from Medicaid last year, the Mississippi senate will now see a bill that promotes expanding Medicaid.

The new program will be known as “Healthy Mississippi Works”, and will focus on getting people back to work by getting them healthcare.

House Bill 1725 passed in the House with an overwhelming majority vote of 98 to 20. Bethesda Free Clinic tells us how this expansion would benefit their patients.

This program would bring Medicaid to full-time college students, part-time workers, and individuals who make roughly $20,000 a year.

Angela Singletary, executive director of the clinic, says these are the exact people who need their services.

“The people that we see are the hardworking who have insurance, but maybe haven’t met their deductible,” Singletary said. “Or who aren’t feeling well, but it’s not worth going to the ER for. So, we’re able to help them get back to work, back on their feet, without them going into debt or, you know, ending up with a bill that they’re not going to be able to pay.”

Over 25% of Mississippians receive Medicaid, and yet, there is still 10% of Mississippi’s population that needs health insurance according to the Mississippi Medicaid office.

Singletary tells us the biggest misconception she sees people have about poverty.

“That they are lazy or not wanting to work, and that’s not the case. A lot of time we see that they are working,” she said. “Their coverage just doesn’t allow for them to be able to have the healthcare they need. To be able to continue to work.”

She feels that this expansion could also benefit rural hospitals and individuals who have adequate healthcare.

“The reason why so many hospitals are closing down is because they are buckling under the debt, and with this expansion that would prevent that debt,” Singletary said. “And then those who have insurance already would benefit from long-term, lower pricing. So, that’s why this is absolutely key because it truly benefits every person in our community. Not just the patients at Bethesda. or the homeless or what have you. Everyone.”

This bill has yet to pass in the Senate, but if it does, Governor Tate Reeves still has the ability to veto it.