Medicaid Expansion Not Likely This Session

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi lawmakers appear unlikely to do an about-face and vote to expand Medicaid this year.

Leaders of the Republican-controlled House and Senate say they still oppose expansion of the program, even with the federal government paying most of the cost in the first few years. They’re backed by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who fears Mississippi could be stuck with a huge health care bill if the federal government backtracks on funding.

Many Democrats, as well as advocates for the working poor, say expanding Medicaid could bring billions of federal dollars to one of the poorest states in the nation, making health care more readily available and supporting jobs in hospitals and clinics.

Medicaid expansion is an option under the health law President Barack Obama signed in 2010.