2015 MS Governor's race: on Health Care

Phil Bryant: The feds won't pay for their share of Medicaid expansion

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.

Robert Gray: Medicaid expansion & health-care exchanges would create jobs

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.

Vicki Slater: Expand Medicaid, and push Legislature to accept it

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.

Vicki Slater: Celebrate the Supreme Court's ruling in support of ObamaCare

"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."