Thread by @ashtonpittman

For the first time in years, two insurers will offer Mississippians ACA health coverage options on healthcare.gov, with Molina joining Magonlia Ambetter with plans, which has been the only provider. 1/
jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/oct/…

Since Congress passed the ACA, Mississippi's uninsured rate has dropped 8 points, from hovering around 20% in the years and decades before the ACA, to 11.9% today. The drop was smaller than in other states, as MS rejected billions to expand Medicaid. 2/
jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/oct/…

Medicaid expansion is a major issue in the governor's race. Dem Jim Hood @HoodForGovernor wants to expand, says it will cover 300k Mississippians, create 10k jobs, save rural hospitals (5 closed in recent years), & help our mental health crisis. #MSGov 3/
jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/sep/…

But Republican @TateReeves opposes it, saying "I am opposed to Obamacare expansion." It's part of his & Gov. Phil Bryant's longstanding opposition to the law because @BarackObama is the president who signed the ACA (which included expansion) into law. 4/
jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/sep/…

Mississippians can begin enrolling for ACA insurance through healthcare.gov on Nov. 1. Open enrollment lasts until Dec. 15 (previously through the end of the year, but the Trump administration shortened the period).
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healthcare.gov

Mississippi @MSInsuranceDept also announced the Molina will begin covering MS children through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), with enrollment for that starting Nov. 1 as well. Medicare open enrollment also begins that day. 6/6
jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/oct/…