“It’s Too Little, Too Tate”: State Democratic Leadership Lambasts Tate Reeves’ Scheme To Tax Rural Hospitals

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October 25, 2023

“It’s Too Little, Too Tate”: State Democratic Leadership Lambasts Tate Reeves’ Scheme To Tax Rural Hospitals

Jackson, MS – State Democratic leadership gathered on the Capitol steps this morning and gave Tate Reeves’ plan to tax rural hospitals an “F” and slammed him for his refusal to expand Medicaid. Tate Reeves’ refusal to expand Medicaid has left nearly half (34) of the state’s 74 hospitals to be at risk of closing with 25 of those being at risk of immediate closure. In contrast on day one, Brandon Presley will expand Medicaid and provide healthcare for more than 220,000 working Mississippians.

“While all this is happening Tate Reeves has said nothing and done nothing,” said State House Minority Leader Robert Johnson. “He refuses to comment on his failure as a governor, and how his policies have cost Mississippians' lives. I don't think the people in my district would describe what they see in our communities as Mississippi momentum. Tate Reeves doesn't care about people, he cares about power and his so-called solution for the hospital crisis shows that if this were about people, his big plan would have included insuring the working poor.”

“I have seen the devastation done to our communities firsthand,” said State Senate Minority Leader, Derrick Simmons. “Under Tate Reeves, Black Mississippians are suffering disproportionately. It's important to note that the places in our state with the highest concentration of black Mississippians, such as my beloved Mississippi Delta, are affected the worst. There's only one pediatrician for every 4000 children in the Delta with growing maternity care deserts. While Mississippi suffers, Tate Reeves refuses to act. He thinks that we should get used to emergency rooms being away from our communities. You can't purport to care about mothers and babies and insist that you care about people in the state of Mississippi and want the best for Mississippi if you don't attack this healthcare crisis, and fight to improve the health care of all Mississippians.”

“This is not just a Delta problem or second congressional district problem, this is a statewide problem,” said State Senator David Blount. “Layoffs, not just in hospitals in the Delta, in Northeast Mississippi, here in Jackson, and all across this state, hospitals are in trouble. There's a plan out there to help those folks with health insurance, those people who are one health care emergency away from bankruptcy. That plan is called Medicaid expansion. We need to do it here in Mississippi. The question for Mississippi is are we going to be 41st? Or are we going to be 50th to expand Medicaid?”

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About Mississippi Democratic Party:

The Mississippi Democratic Party is dedicated to advancing progressive values, fostering inclusive policies, and promoting equal representation for all Mississippians. As the state's leading Democratic organization, we work tirelessly to build a strong and diverse coalition, advocate for meaningful change, and support Democratic candidates who champion social justice, economic fairness, and access to quality healthcare and education. Together, we strive to create a brighter future for Mississippi by ensuring that every voice is heard and every vote counts.