Mississippi’s governor is ready to concern a proposal to assist financially struggling hospitals

Jackson, Miss. Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is scheduled to launch a proposal Thursday aimed toward serving to a number of the state’s financially struggling hospitals, though the Democrat making an attempt to unseat him has spent months attacking Reeves for opposing Medicaid growth in one of many poorest states in the US. Nation.

Mississippi is one in every of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid to incorporate low-wage employees whose jobs don’t present personal medical insurance. The growth is an possibility below well being care reform that was signed into regulation in 2010 by former President Barack Obama.

Reeves has mentioned for years that he opposes Medicaid growth as a result of he does not wish to add extra folks to a authorities program he derides as “welfare.”

Mississippi may obtain about $1 billion a 12 months from the federal authorities to develop Medicaid, well being officers mentioned. The federal authorities can pay 90% of the price of folks added to this system, and the state authorities can pay 10%.

“Not increasing Medicaid is among the stupidest selections this state has ever made,” Brandon Pressley, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, mentioned at a marketing campaign rally final week in Summit.

He mentioned the growth may assist maintain hospitals open and supply protection for 220,000 folks.

“They’re folks like the girl who’s going to clear the desk at a Waffle Home someplace right here in Mississippi tonight,” Presley mentioned. “Somebody’s going to get up tomorrow and go to work at Fast Lube to alter the oil and have a flat tire. We’re speaking about individuals who have roofs. We’re speaking about individuals who sweat. Individuals who must bathe earlier than and after work.”

Mississippi has 74 rural hospitals. 5 have been closed since 2005, and 24 are at instant threat of closing as a consequence of extreme monetary issues, in response to a nationwide coverage group, the Middle for Healthcare High quality and Fee Reform. Solely Texas and Kansas have extra hospitals on this threat class.

In April, Reeves signed a invoice to create a Mississippi Hospital Sustainability Grant Program to alleviate a number of the monetary woes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals are eligible for wherever from $250,000 to $1 million, relying on the scale of the ability and whether or not it gives emergency companies. The invoice was permitted by a vote of 52-0 within the Senate and 111-2 within the Home.