State of Mississippi Archives: on Health Care
Mike Espy:
Shore up rural hospitals; expand Medicaid
Medicaid and ensuring quality broadband access to every Mississippian. As your senator, I will continue to push for innovative solutions that support investment and development in our rural communities.
Quality, affordable health care and access to high-speed internet are desperately needed across the rural areas of our state, that's why my first two priorities in office will be to shore up our rural hospitals and health clinics by expanding
Source: 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign website EspyForSenate.com
Jun 25, 2020
Mike Espy:
Number one priority will be to expand Medicaid
My number one priority in the Senate will be to expand Medicaid. By failing to expand Medicaid, Mississippi has willingly rejected $11.1 billion in federal funds over the last decade. The revenue from expansion is needed now more
than ever to undergird our rural hospitals, to fill the gap for uncompensated care, to address the long-term care crisis, and to be able to enroll an additional 210,000 uninsured Mississippians.
Source: 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign website EspyForSenate.com
Jun 25, 2020
Tate Reeves:
Invest in health care without succumbing to big government
We need to incentivize quality health care. We must do all of this without falling into the trap that so many misguided politicians cannot avoid. This is not a call for inaction, but a call for caution. We can invest in health care.
We should invest in health care. We can protect rural hospitals. We can protect the people of Mississippi. I am eager to work with each of you to do so. We can and we should do all of this without succumbing to the siren song of big government.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
Jim Hood:
Uncovered industry-wide plan to inflate drug prices
Unsealed court documents in a lawsuit filed by Mississippi and 41 other states show how drug companies coordinated to inflate the price of generic drugs, according to a press release from Attorney General Jim Hood. "The evidence shows an industry-wide
conspiracy to hinder access to drugs that Americans rely on every day," "It shows that these people knew that what they were doing was illegal and then took measures to make sure their actions weren't uncovered. Today, their cover is blown."
Source: Clarion-Ledger on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Jun 26, 2019
Bill Waller:
More accessible, quality health care to address crisis
When nearly half of Mississippi's rural hospitals are in high financial risk of closing, we have a health care crisis in our state. Ignoring the problem is not going to bring about a solution to ensuring access to quality, affordable health care,
particularly in rural areas. [We need] improvements in health care, that reforms Medicaid in a way that doesn't put taxpayers or our state budget at risk, and maximizes Mississippi's potential to bring about more accessible, quality health care.
Source: 2019 Mississippi Governor campaign website BillWallerJr.com
May 2, 2019
Bill Waller:
Work with federal government to expand Medicaid in MS
Retired Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. and first-term state Rep. Robert Foster spoke to an audience of about 100 people at the first debate of the 2019 campaign season, each saying he would make a long-term commitment to
increasing teacher pay, improving highways and bridges and making health care more affordable.Both said Mississippi should consider some sort of Medicaid expansion, possibly seeking permission from the federal government to let people buy coverage.
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for the needy, aged, blind and disabled, and expenses are paid by the federal and state governments. Nearly 721,000 people are enrolled in Medicaid in Mississippi.
Under the federal health law that then-
Pres. Barack Obama signed in 2010, states have the option of expanding Medicaid to the working poor. Mississippi Republican leaders have declined to do so, citing concerns that the federal government might not honor its promise to pay for the expansion.
Source: MS Business Journal on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Apr 1, 2019
Robert Foster:
Work with federal government to expand Medicaid in MS
Retired Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. and first-term state Rep. Robert Foster spoke to an audience of about 100 people at the first debate of the 2019 campaign season, each saying he would make a long-term commitment to
increasing teacher pay, improving highways and bridges and making health care more affordable.Both said Mississippi should consider some sort of Medicaid expansion, possibly seeking permission from the federal government to let people buy coverage.
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for the needy, aged, blind and disabled, and expenses are paid by the federal and state governments. Nearly 721,000 people are enrolled in Medicaid in Mississippi.
Under the federal health law that then-
Pres. Barack Obama signed in 2010, states have the option of expanding Medicaid to the working poor. Mississippi Republican leaders have declined to do so, citing concerns that the federal government might not honor its promise to pay for the expansion.
Source: MS Business Journal on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Apr 1, 2019
Bill Waller:
Address uncompensated care at rural hospitals
The topic of Medicaid and healthcare was an issue that both [Republican candidates Bill Waller and Robert Foster] said Mississippi should consider some sort of Medicaid expansion. Both were careful to call it Medicaid reform saying they would possibly
seek permission from the federal government to let people buy coverage. "Everybody has access to health care in America," said Foster. "The problem is, it's very unaffordable."Waller mentioned the Medicaid plans in
Arkansas, Utah, and Indiana specifically using something similar to Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana Medicaid reform. "We have 31 rural hospitals on the danger list right now and most of it can be attributed to the uncompensated care
that they are forced to give," said Waller. "So yes, we have to look at it. It is a right to life question and it has to be accessible."
Source: NewsMS.FM on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Mar 26, 2019
Robert Foster:
Everyone has access to healthcare; issue is affordability
The topic of Medicaid and healthcare was an issue that both [Republican candidates Bill Waller and Robert Foster] said Mississippi should consider some sort of Medicaid expansion. Both were careful to call it Medicaid reform saying they would possibly
seek permission from the federal government to let people buy coverage. "Everybody has access to health care in America," said Foster. "The problem is, it's very unaffordable."Waller mentioned the Medicaid plans in
Arkansas, Utah, and Indiana specifically using something similar to Vice President Mike Pence's Indiana Medicaid reform. "We have 31 rural hospitals on the danger list right now and most of it can be attributed to the uncompensated care
that they are forced to give," said Waller. "So yes, we have to look at it. It is a right to life question and it has to be accessible."
Source: NewsMS.FM on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial debate
Mar 26, 2019
Bill Waller:
Consider some form of Medicaid expansion in MS
In speaking about his policy priorities, Waller did not hesitate to sketch out differences with Tate Reeves and to contrast himself with the lieutenant governor by name. Indeed, Waller joins a list of Republican candidates for state
office willing to consider some form of Medicaid expansion in the state. "Everything is on the table," Waller said. "We have a healthcare crisis. We want to make sure everyone has access to healthcare."
The Affordable Care Act, often called "ObamaCare," offers significant federal funding for such an expansion of Medicaid eligibility standards. Some states, however, have won permission to expand while imposing certain requirements, including
work requirements.
Waller offered Indiana as an example of just such a such a state, which won federal permission for a modified expansion when now-Vice President Mike Pence was governor.
Source: Tupelo Daily Journal on 2019 Mississippi governor's race
Mar 12, 2019
Robert Foster:
Consider some form of Medicaid expansion
Foster won attention shortly after his gubernatorial announcement with his call for some version of Medicaid expansion. The Affordable Care Act, often called "ObamaCare," offers significant federal funding for such an expansion of
Medicaid eligibility standards. Some states, however, have won permission to expand while imposing certain requirements, including work requirements.
Source: Tupelo Daily Journal on 2019 Mississippi governor's race
Mar 12, 2019
Robert Foster:
Reform Medicaid to cover 300,000 more Mississippians
Q: I've seen ads where you claim you don't support Medicaid expansion, but do support "reform." But what you describe as "reform" on your website sounds a lot like expansion, which involves accepting federal funds to expand access to Medicaid to about
300,000 Mississippians who make too much for traditional Medicaid, but not enough for Affordable Care Act subsidies. What's the difference?A: You can use the word expansion, or you can use the word reform. I use the word reform because there's a big
difference to me between reforming Medicaid and expanding it and just bringing more people onto the government payroll for health care. I think that's bad policy. I think it encourages dependency. It discourages people from wanting to take the step
of working and helping pitch in for what they get back. I want to incentivize people to continue to work, to have skin in the game, to help pay in something to help cover, so the State doesn't have to drain our budget to help cover their insurance.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Feb 6, 2019
Robert Foster:
ObamaCare is bad policy, but let's get Mississippi our share
[Under ObamaCare], we do need to draw down those federal [Medicaid] dollars. All the people who work in Mississippi are paying federal taxes--and our dollars are being redistributed around for health care in other states, and we're not getting the
benefit here. The people contributing should be receiving what they're helping pay for everybody else to use.We're sticking our head in the sand because we don't like the policy of ObamaCare. I think it's bad policy. The ACA is bad policy that had a
lot of flaws, but it is the law of the land, and Mississippi is going to have to do what's in our best interest until that law is changed in Washington. We would be a lot better off if Washington block-granted money back to the states
in education and health care so we can do what we think is best for our state because every state is not the same. What works for us doesn't necessarily work for New York or Texas or Tennessee.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Feb 6, 2019
Robert Foster:
Expand Medicaid with contribution of monthly fee
Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert Foster said he supports a version of Medicaid expansion where participants would be required to contribute a monthly fee in order to receive coverage. "I do not personally support traditional expansion of
Medicaid like they've done in some other states," Foster said. "But what I do support, and what we do have to take into serious consideration, is looking at waivers and an innovative way of bringing health care that is affordable to the working class
Mississippians that are left out right now."Foster said he would support a version of expansion similar to Indiana's, where participants would be required to pay into savings accounts to help cover the bill and lower the state's costs for the program.
That could appease central Republican concerns about expansion, which usually revolve around how the state will pay its share of the cost. Some states have also pushed for work requirements for those on Medicaid, a tweak Foster said he would consider.
Source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger on 2019 Mississippi governor race
Jan 8, 2019
Jim Hood:
Accept federal dollars to help struggling rural hospitals
Jesus said to take care of the widows, orphans, the elderly, and the least among us. When it comes to health care, Mississippi has not followed His word. As your governor I will: - Work to make health care affordable for everyone
-
Fight for those who can't fight for themselves
- Support law enforcement in the fight against the opioid epidemic
- Accept federal dollars to help our struggling rural hospitals
- Focus on improving rural access to health care
Source: 2019 Mississippi governor campaign site HoodForGovernor.com
Dec 31, 2018
Robert Foster:
Reform our monopolistic Certificate of Need laws
A Healthier Mississippi- Allow Mississippians and providers to be more in-control of healthcare decisions, rather than government bureaucrats.
- Free the healthcare market by repealing and reforming our out-of-date, monopolistic Certificate of
Need laws (C.O.N.).
- Reform and restructure our Medicaid system to prevent hard-working Mississippians from being forced to go to the emergency room as their only alternative to care.
C.O.N. laws were declared to be in violation of the
Federal Anti-Trust Act, and were repealed by the Federal government decades ago. Most states have complied and either repealed or reformed most of their C.O.N. laws, yet Mississippi still protects these corporate healthcare monopolies at the expense of
its citizens. This is unacceptable in a state that should be doing everything in its power to increase access to healthcare and reduce its unsustainable costs. Free-market principles work--even in healthcare.
Source: 2019 Mississippi governor campaign website Foster4MS.com
Dec 31, 2018
Cindy Hyde-Smith:
Against ObamaCare; but sought ObamaCare funding
Hyde-Smith said during her debate against Mike Espy, "You know, ObamaCare is the worst thing that happened to us." Hyde-Smith repeated her intent to "end" the law.As a state lawmaker, she produced a report recommending that noted that
Mississippi "had not taken full advantage of more than $22 billion in federal project grant funds made available to states, local governments, and other entities through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."
Source: The Intercept on 2020 Mississippi Senate race
Nov 21, 2018
David Baria:
Improve ObamaCare without weakening it
Q: Healthcare: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?David Baria (D): Support. "Improving this plan, not weakening it, will be a top priority for me from day one." Strong supporter of Medicaid expansion.
Roger Wicker (R): Repeal. "I am doing everything in my power to delay & repeal this massive overhaul of America's healthcare system"
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Mississippi Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Roger Wicker:
Repeal massive overhaul of America's healthcare system
Q: Healthcare: Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as ObamaCare?David Baria (D): Support. "Improving this plan, not weakening it, will be a top priority for me from day one." Strong supporter of Medicaid expansion.
Roger Wicker (R): Repeal. "I am doing everything in my power to delay & repeal this massive overhaul of America's healthcare system"
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Mississippi Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Jim Hood:
Sue drug companies for over-charging Medicaid
Attorney General Jim Hood, with the help of outside counsel, is suing a group of pharmaceutical companies, alleging they engaged in an "unlawful scheme" to force the state to pay for drugs that were not eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.Hood
contends the companies' scheme involves false representations, made by the defendants to the state, that their National Drug Codes, or NDCs, are FDA approved and eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. "The State directly relies on these representations in
approving the reimbursement for providers of prescription drugs," the Hood explained. "Defendants marketed these unapproved drugs to healthcare providers as being Covered Outpatient Drugs (or CODs), and therefore reimbursable by the State," resulting in
increased market share and profits for the companies while essentially leaving the state in a lurch. In 2011, for example, the state Medicaid program forked out about $551 million on prescription drugs, according to the Attorney General's Office.
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Oct 1, 2018
David Baria:
ObamaCare should be expanded to reach everyone
With the passage of the ACA, millions of Americans received health coverage for the first time. We need to improve this plan not weaken it. I will support efforts to deliver better health care to underserved Americans including better options and
facilities in rural Mississippi and protection for those with preexisting conditions. I will also look for opportunities to provide affordable plans to working families who don't have coverage and make too much to qualify for Medicaid.
Source: 2018 MS Senate campaign website, BariaForMississippi.com
Jun 26, 2018
Phil Bryant:
Medicaid patients are responsible for bad choices
Poor health choices have resulted in higher mortality rates and treatment of even more disabling illnesses. Consequently, Medicaid costs have continued to increase, straining our state and federal budgets. Frankly, we have spent far too many years
believing that funding for Medicaid is unlimited and should be unquestioned. We must change that way of thinking. We must also insist that positive health care outcomes be the first responsibility of the Medicaid recipients.
As you know, I have requested a workforce requirement for able-bodied adults from the Center of Medicaid and Medicare Services. This is not, as some would have you believe, a punitive action aimed at recipients.
It will actually help this population reap the rewards of a good job, and one day receive health care coverage from their employer, not the state or federal government.
Source: 2018 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 9, 2018
Jensen Bohren:
Cut out middleman and use the taxes for Medicare-For-All
I am for Medicare-For-All. With the current system, tax dollars go to a for-profit company, then to the healthcare providers. It makes sense that cutting out the middleman would save money, and we currently have people working on the Affordable Care Act
who could transition to administering the newly created load for Medicare. I know this is a complex process, but thankfully there are people who are better versed on the issue than I. I would be a reliable vote for Medicare-For-All.
Source: 2018 Mississippi Senate campaign website vote4jensen.com
Jan 1, 2018
Tate Reeves:
Let's find solutions instead of over-institutionalizing
Mississippi is still in the beginning litigation stages of a related U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit. That action alleges that the state over-relies on institutionalization to provide mental-health care--not community-based services. "I think the
DOJ has sued us because we haven't done enough community-based care," Reeves told reporters. "We do too much institutionalization, so we've got to work together and find solutions for that."
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 27, 2017
Phil Bryant:
The feds won't pay for their share of Medicaid expansion
[Democratic opponent Robert] Gray has slammed Bryant's policies, including the governor's resistance to Medicaid expansion, which the Affordable Care Act permits states to do, with the federal government paying for the bulk of it.Bryant has said that
he does not believe the Obama administration will pay for the feds' end of Medicaid expansion and, thus, in his logic, leaving Mississippi taxpayers on the hook for the cost of providing health insurance for 300,000 people.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Oct 28, 2015
Robert Gray:
Medicaid expansion & health-care exchanges would create jobs
Gray has slammed Bryant's policies, including the governor's resistance to Medicaid expansion. `Basically, he's choking the life out of the state of Mississippi by not taking (up) these issues,`
Gray said about Bryant's refusal to support expansion of Medicaid, which the Affordable Care Act permits states to do, with the federal government paying for the bulk of it.
Bryant has said that he does not believe the Obama administration will pay for the feds' end of Medicaid expansion and, thus, in his logic, leaving Mississippi taxpayers on the hook for the cost of providing health insurance for 300,000 people.
`By
expanding Medicaid and starting the health-care exchanges in Mississippi, (it) would create jobs. It would take people off the need for government subsidies. We're losing money and making things worse by not doing anything,` Gray said.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Oct 28, 2015
Vicki Slater:
Expand Medicaid, and push Legislature to accept it
Q: Do you support Medicaid expansion?A: Yes, I'm in favor of that.
Q: If the Legislature doesn't expand Medicaid, would you use your power as governor to expand the program?
A: As governor, I would do everything that I could as executive officer
to effect Medicaid expansion. I believe some actions would be necessary by the Legislature. I'm not convinced that the Legislature would reject it; I think it could be worked out.
If we had accepted the Medicaid expansion money, that would have created 139,000 jobs. Rural hospitals are economic drivers in their communities. It's really hurt Mississippi jobs and
economy to reject that money. That should be first priority. Other states that have Republican governors have accepted those monies. The governor remains steadfast in his refusal.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2015 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2015
Vicki Slater:
Celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling in support of ObamaCare
Vicki Slater weighed in on Gov. Phil Bryant's response to the U.S. Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act ruling. She said in a press release:"We should be celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act, but Phil Bryant has resorted to
calling names and attacking the President, the Supreme Court & Congress instead of being a leader for Mississippians. Phil Bryant's refusal to accept Medicaid dollars is an injustice for people in our state.
"It is wrong to deny working Mississippians
access to health care, which would keep Mississippi families healthier and more financially secure. It would also grow our economy, creating thousands of new jobs and keeping hospitals across the state from closing. But Governor Bryant is letting our
money go to other states.
"There are Mississippians dying because they do not have access to health care, and all Phil Bryant is doing is calling names. This is yet another example of Phil Bryant's failed leadership."
Source: Sun-Herald coverage of 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Jun 25, 2015
Chris McDaniel:
Repeal ObamaCare to let our economy flourish
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.McDaniel: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
McDaniel: Strongly Agree.
Question topic: Briefly list political or legislative issues of most concern to you.
McDaniel: Repealing ObamaCare. We must repeal it to allow our economy to flourish.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Mississippi Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Phil Bryant:
ObamaCare adds 300,000 entitlements; get people off Medicaid
The Affordable Care Act [has a large] potential impact on Mississippi. Any law that will add 300,000 Mississippians to a federal entitlement program partially funded by the state will either result in a huge tax increase or drastic cuts to education,
public safety, job creation and other budgets. It will leave our children and grandchildren with ballooning federal debt. Instead of assuming enormous costs that we cannot afford, I would suggest that we spend our time and efforts in finding good
jobs for all Mississippians. We should be compassionate by lowering our Medicaid population through economic growth, personal responsibility, and providing more access to private sector health care.
To help us further develop our medical industry and identify ways to improve our personal health, I am pleased to announce the formation of the Mississippi Health Care Solutions Institute.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 22, 2013
Phil Bryant:
Expand MS School of Medicine; 1,000 new doctors by 2025
One essential health care step we must take is increasing the number of doctors in Mississippi. We know that physicians create about $2 million in economic impact in their communities, including the people they hire and the equipment and supplies they
buy to run their offices. Having more providers will create better health care access for Mississippians, thereby lowering the cost of health care.Just this month, I joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center to break ground on a
new expansion of the School of Medicine. With the addition of new classrooms and laboratories, each incoming class of medical students will increase to more than 160. This means Mississippi will graduate more doctors.
The university estimates that by
2025, an expanded medical school would produce 1,000 new physicians and support more than 19,000 new jobs. I ask the Legislature to consider the impact of this medical school on our state and support its growth.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 22, 2013
Erik Fleming:
Supports tax-free medical savings accounts
Fleming supports the following principles regarding health. - Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts.
- Allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States.
-
Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
- Offer tax credits to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance coverage.
- Support expanding child healthcare programs.
Source: Mississippi Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Jul 30, 2008
Ronnie Musgrove:
Protect Mississippi’s Health Care Trust Fund
We’re attacking the problems faced by rural citizens in keeping access to health care open & available. We must ensure our dedicated state employees have the quality health insurance they deserve. And, we must protect one of Mississippi’s best investment
- the Health Care Trust Fund. Mississippi is one of only five states to remain committed to using the tobacco settlement for the Health Care needs of our people. Many states have used their tobacco settlement to fund deficits in their general budget.
Source: Mississippi State of the State Address, 2002
Jan 16, 2002
Ronnie Musgrove:
Enrolled 50,000 in the Children’s Health Insurance Program
Medicaid is so much more than another government agency. It means health insurance for our children, elderly and disabled. The success of Medicaid is evidenced by the enrollment of 87,000 new recipients in the past year.
In January of 2000, less than 600 children were enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Today, that number is nearly 50,000.
Source: Mississippi State of the State Address, 2002
Jan 16, 2002
Ronnie Musgrove:
Medical Education Scholarships for rural doctors
The creation last year of Medical Education Scholarship Programs provides full scholarships for up to twenty new recipients each year provided they agree to serve ten years in family medicine in a critical needs area of our state. In tandem with
licensing physicians’ assistants we will begin to see the expansion of access to health care particularly in rural areas. Continuing the effort to recruit doctors and other health care providers to rural Mississippi remains a top priority.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 4, 2001
Ronnie Musgrove:
Invest in state employees’ health plan, despite budget
Mississippi’s package of health benefits for state employees may be better than some states across our nation, but it’s not good enough. As with private plans, deductibles continue to increase while coverage seems to shrink every year. We must
not use the budget as an excuse to avoid tackling the difficult issues in health care. We may not solve all the problems with health insurance costs quickly, but we can begin with a sound investment in the health insurance we offer our state employees.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 4, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021