Powerful business groups are urging legislative leaders “to work together” to improve health care access as they negotiate whether to expand Medicaid coverage for Mississippians and by how much.

“Access to healthcare is not just about individual health, but about the well being of our entire community,” the Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Manufacturers Association and the Business and Industry Political Education Committee said in a letter to House Speaker Jason White. “It means a healthier population, a healthier work force and an improved quality of life, all of which contribute to stronger Mississippi communities.”

White released the letter on social media and said, “We appreciate the business community’s support to provide healthcare access to low-income Mississippians. A healthy economy is dependent on a healthy workforce.”

The House, where White presides, has passed legislation to expand Medicaid as is allowed under federal law to cover people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level or about $20,000 per year for an individual. The Senate’s proposal would expand Medicaid to those working and earning less than 100% of the federal poverty level or about $15,000 annually.

House and Senate leaders are in the process of trying to hammer out their differences on the issue.

While the business groups did not explicitly endorse either plan, they did say they routinely expected state leaders to “responsibly” use federal dollars for education, infrastructure and for other services.

“Let’s give our hospitals and healthcare experts the same opportunity so hard-working Mississippians will benefit,” the letter leaders said.

Under the House plan, the federal government would pay 90% of the health care costs for those covered by Medicaid expansion. Under the Senate plan, the federal government will pay about 77% of the costs, which, according to studies, means fewer Mississippians would be covered at a significantly higher cost to the state under the Senate plan.

In addition, under the House plan, the state would receive an additional nearly $700 million over a two-year period, which the federal government is offering to the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid.

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