Mississippi Medicaid won’t seek midyear infusion of money

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi’s Medicaid director says the program will not seek additional money for the final half of the state budget year. This is the first time that has happened in the past five years.

Director Drew Snyder told lawmakers Wednesday that enrollment has decreased, accounting for some savings.

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program, with costs covered by federal and state money. About 22 percent of Mississippi’s nearly 3 million residents are enrolled in it.

Mississippi is among the 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid to the working poor, as allowed under the 2010 health care overhaul signed by then-President Barack Obama.

Snyder said Wednesday: “Expansion is not in any way part of our agenda.”

He was appointed by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who has opposed expansion for years.

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