Medicaid is a blessing, not a burden for Mississippi

Medicaid expansion in Mississippi has been wrongly construed as a vehicle to support non-working, able-bodied people who do not deserve free (to them) health care. On those grounds, it has been summarily dismissed by some without further consideration. While not expanding Medicaid successfully prevents a few people from getting something they may not deserve, it also subjects Mississippians to an opportunity cost of $1 billion each year — a curious position for the poorest and most unhealthy state in the union.

Medicaid expansion allows economically vital health care employers (including financially struggling hospitals) in Mississippi an opportunity to split $1 billion in federal funds. The money would navigate from hospitals and clinics to their employees, suppliers and third-party companies with which they contract into the hands of small businesses, banks, realtors and other business owners — as well as their employees — until finally making full circle back into the accounts of our state and local governments. All that notwithstanding, Mississippi has not yet expanded its Medicaid program.