Phil Bryant Sets Up Dangerous Situation

The United States Supreme Court will soon rule whether it is permissible for Mississippians to receive a tax credit in order to help pay for their health insurance. This is a case with huge implications for tens of thousands of Mississippians who risk losing their health care coverage. The person caring the least about this is Republican Governor Phil Bryant.

As of March 2015, over 75,000 Mississippians receive a tax credit to help pay their health insurance costs. This could all be in jeopardy if the Supreme Court rules against the tax credits. The backup plan from Republicans is nonexistent.

Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney once worked to build a state-based insurance marketplace, but the stubbornness of Phil Bryant killed Chaney's proposal. Thus, Bryant's poor decisions have led us to this precarious (and avoidable) position.

House Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Clinton) and Governor Bryant,
likely not talking about helping Mississippians get health insurance

For Phil Bryant and the Republicans, it has never been about the Mississippians that are being helped by having health insurance. To them, it is all about making a political statement despite the fact that we have a higher uninsured rate than the national average. Phil Bryant and his Republican Party have done everything within their power to make sure thousands of Mississippians have no health insurance coverage.

Commissioner Chaney summed up the shortsighted, politics-only views of Phil Bryant with this quote:

“He’s got a pretty good approval rating, and he doesn’t have a real strong opponent,” Mr. Chaney said. “So he’s just not worried.”

Cochran Supporters Love Obamacare

Earlier today, Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney toured Madison County with Senator Thad Cochran. Hours before the polls open, Chaney took to Facebook to point out the benefits of Medicaid expansion in Mississippi.

Conservatives have not been pleased with Cochran, viewing him as too moderate. Chaney has been a supporter of Obamacare in Mississippi, and him standing side by side with Cochran should reinforce conservatives' skepticism.

Chaney (far left) campaigning today with Thad Cochran

From Chaney's Facebook Page Today

Health Insurance Marketplace Update

With less than two month to go until open enrollment begins in the Mississippi health insurance marketplace, as provided for under the Affordable Care Act, it might be helpful to get an update on where things stand.

Rather than do a lot of reading about an issue that we have heard so much about over the past five years, the good folks at the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation developed a short, objective video of what is in store for the health marketplaces when they come online next year.

Another nugget from the Kaiser Family Foundation is an interactive map, which you can find here, that shows what Mississippi and the rest of the country would look like if each state expanded Medicaid coverage for those who cannot obtain coverage from the state marketplace. As you can see, nearly 250,000 Mississippians would have coverage, including roughly 9,000 in my home of Rankin County.

It merits mentioning that state Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshall Mike Chaney worked tirelessly over the last few years to establish a state-based insurance exchange. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in in efforts due to the intransigence of Governor Bryant. Recently, Chaney was able to work with insurance providers to establish coverage in all 82 counties in the state.

Chaney buckles to Tea Party, suspends work on health insurance exchange

Meet Mississippi's new Insurance Commissioner

For over two years, Mississippi's Insurance Department, like other insurance departments across the country, has been working to implement its own health insurance exchange.  A healthcare exchange would allow Mississippians to select health care plans from a group of plans eligible for federal subsidies.

The concept of healthcare exchanges is not new and has been promoted by left-wingers like former Governor Haley Barbour and the Heritage Foundation.  As late as Wednesday, Commissioner Mike Chaney was spearheading an effort to bring a healthcare exchange to Mississippi. 

Under pressure from the Mississippi Tea Party and "America's First Tea Party Governor" Phil Bryant, Commissioner Chaney has suddenly announced that Mississippi's exchange will be shelved until "after the November election." 

This is the latest example of knee-jerk politics overwhelming sound public policy and the impact for the state could be severe.  Under federal law, states that do not have an operational exchange by January 1, 2014 will have one provided for them by the federal government.  If this were to happen, Mississippi would have missed an opportunity to tailor a program to our unique healthcare needs.

This appalling lack of political courage by Chaney has prompted some serious chest pounding by the Tea Party who, according to Y'all Politics, is circulating an e-mail titled "Under pressure from us, Chaney has surrendered".  Indeed.

Sen. David Baria addresses wind pool rates, solar panels in latest post

Sen. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis) has a blog post up summarizing the Legislature's work during their first week.  He focuses on two items of import: a failed attempt to override Gov. Barbour's wind pool funding, and the approval of incentives for a second solar panel manufacturer to set up shop in Mississippi.

Here are some excerpts:

Regarding the wind pool funding veto override attempt - "Despite the clear and unequivocal statements of the wind pool board, Commissioner Chaney now says that the $20 million will make no difference in wind pool rates. Apparently relying on Commissioner Chaney’s expertise, a sufficient number of House members voted to sustain the veto. Therefore, the wind pool will have to purchase the necessary reinsurance without the benefit of the additional $20 million. If we believe the wind pool board, we can look for rates to increase next year."

Regarding the incentives for Stion, the state's second solar panel manufacturer - "The package includes a $75 million loan from the state secured by a lien on equipment to be repaid within 10 years. When completed, the plant will employ 1,000 workers at an average annual salary of $43,000.00."

 Sen. Baria also mentions two bills he has sponsored regarding solar energy.  First, he has a bill that would offer tax incentives to people who buy solar power equipment.  Second, he's put forth legislation that would encourage the use of solar power at state facilities.  Solar equipment usually pays for itself in 5-6 years in energy savings, and then continues to provide savings well into the future.  This is the type of fiscally smart legislation that the Republican Senate leadership should embrace.  Time will tell on that.