Opinion

Editorial: Medicaid expansion and ballot initiative

Opinion

DESPITE ALL THE CALLS FOR LAWMAKERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN - IT APPEARS MEDICAID EXPANSION IS DEAD THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. LAWMAKERS COULD NOT AGREE ON A FINAL PROPOSAL BEFORE A THURSDAY NIGHT DEADLINE. AS A RESULT, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MISSISSIPPIANS...WHOM MANY REFER TO AS "WORKING POOR" WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO OBTAIN PROPER HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. IN SPITE OF CONTINUED OBJECTIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR, THERE WERE REAL SIGNS OF PROGRESS WITH THE LEGISLATION. WE SAW THOSE SIGNS OF HOPE FADE RECENTLY WHEN A WORK REQUIREMENT WAS PROPOSED FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE. THEN THERE WAS A NEW PROPOSAL FOR THE ISSUE TO GO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT ASKING "SHOULD MISSISSIPPI EXPAND MEDICAID, AND IF SO, SHOULD THE EXPANSION INCLUDE A WORK REQUIREMENT?" THE PROPOSAL WAS NOT WELL RECEIVED. IT ALSO COMES IN THE WAKE OF THE MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT STRIKING DOWN THE BALLOT INITIATI

Opinion

Editorial: Medicaid expansion and ballot initiative

Despite all the calls for lawmakers to make it happen, it appears Medicaid expansion is dead this legislative session.Lawmakers could not agree on a final proposal before a Thursday deadline. As a result, tens of thousands of Mississippians, whom many refer to as "working poor," will continue to struggle to obtain proper health care coverage.Despite continued objections from the governor, there were real signs of progress with the legislation. We saw those signs of hope fade recently when a work requirement was proposed for the people who would be eligible for coverage.Then, there was a new proposal for the issue to go on the November ballot, asking, "Should Mississippi expand Medicaid? And if so, should the expansion include a work requirement?"The proposal was not well received. It also comes in the wake of the Mississippi Supreme Court striking down the ballot initiative process in 2021 due to a Congressional district issue.Mississippians need to have a voice, not only for this issue but for any issue that lawmakers cannot come to an agreement on. Just about half the country provides a statewide initiative process, referendum process, or both. Whether you’re for or against something like Medicaid expansion, changing the design of the state flag, medical marijuana or even something as polarizing as abortion, letting the voters have a voice is the true definition of Democracy.

JACKSON, Miss. —

Despite all the calls for lawmakers to make it happen, it appears Medicaid expansion is dead this legislative session.

Lawmakers could not agree on a final proposal before a Thursday deadline. As a result, tens of thousands of Mississippians, whom many refer to as "working poor," will continue to struggle to obtain proper health care coverage.

Despite continued objections from the governor, there were real signs of progress with the legislation. We saw those signs of hope fade recently when a work requirement was proposed for the people who would be eligible for coverage.

Then, there was a new proposal for the issue to go on the November ballot, asking, "Should Mississippi expand Medicaid? And if so, should the expansion include a work requirement?"

The proposal was not well received. It also comes in the wake of the Mississippi Supreme Court striking down the ballot initiative process in 2021 due to a Congressional district issue.

Mississippians need to have a voice, not only for this issue but for any issue that lawmakers cannot come to an agreement on. Just about half the country provides a statewide initiative process, referendum process, or both.

Whether you’re for or against something like Medicaid expansion, changing the design of the state flag, medical marijuana or even something as polarizing as abortion, letting the voters have a voice is the true definition of Democracy.