The Mississippi House Democratic Caucus just released the following:
Republicans
Try Brinkmanship on Medicaid
Mississippi House
Democratic Caucus Press
Contact:
Rep. Bobby Moak (601) 359-2860
February
14, 2013
Jackson, MS- This afternoon, the
House Rules Committee killed S.B. 2207, a measure that would extend the repealers
on various provisions of Mississippi’s Medicaid program and allow for the
consideration of Medicaid expansion.
Proponents of Medicaid expansion say
that in the long-term, expansion will save both state and federal dollars while
extending healthcare coverage to thousands of lower-income Mississippians. In Mississippi, expansion would also mean
jobs by improving Mississippi’s healthcare workforce.
By tabling S.B. 2207, House
Republicans are attempting to shut down the conversation on Medicaid expansion
in Mississippi. As a result of the Rules
Committee’s actions, the only remaining Medicaid bill is H.B. 560, a measure
that failed to pass in the House and is currently being held on a Motion to
Reconsider. H.B. 560 does not contain
any of the code sections that would allow for Medicaid expansion.
House Democratic Caucus Leader Bobby
Moak (D-Bogue Chitto) said, “Republicans are again proving that they are not
interested in an open and honest discussion on Medicaid. If they were, they would allow Mississippians
the benefit of considering this important issue with all options on the table.”
Moak added, “House Democrats will
not abide false deadlines or political ploys on this issue. We are ready to kill every bill that comes
before us that does not allow for a full vetting of the crucial question of
Medicaid expansion. Any attempt by
Republicans to suggest that they don’t have options to revive a Medicaid bill
is nonsense. They have the Governor’s
mansion, the Senate and the House. If a
Medicaid bill doesn’t pass in the next month its because Republicans are more
interested in playing politics than doing their jobs.”
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