Video: Medicaid Expansion Study

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TUPELO, Miss. – (WCBI) Gov. Phil Bryant says it is not financially feasible, but a new study released Thursday shows that Medicaid expansion could create as many as 700 jobs and insure nearly 8,000 people in portions of North Mississippi.

That’s the impact in Lee, Pontotoc and Union Counties, according to a study conducted by a team of University of Alabama Birmingham.

The professors released their results Thursday night at the Link Centre in Tupelo.

The Affordable Care Act does allow states to expand their Medicaid program to families and individuals, who live within the poverty level set by the Federal Government.

During the first three years, the Federal Government would pay the bill, then gradually allocate more of the cost onto the state.

Mississippi joins the ranks of 23 other states who are looking to avoid this expansion.

Governor Phil Bryant and other state leaders say the Magnolia State simply can not afford it.