Sep 21, 2023
Jackson, MS – Following Tate Reeves’ too little, too Tate announcement today, state legislators and a nurse released statements following Tate Reeves’ campaign stunt.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Press@Mississippidemocrats.org
September 21, 2023
“Too Late, Tate” Mississippians Know You’re The Hospital Closure Governor
Jackson, MS – Following Tate Reeves’ too little, too Tate announcement today, state legislators and a nurse released statements following Tate Reeves’ campaign stunt.
“Today’s announcement is too little, too late for hospitals who have already cut jobs and services, for KPC Promise Hospital that already shut down and for Greenwood-Leflore that could close down by the end of the month,” said State Rep. John Hines. “This is an election year hail mary that we can see straight through, and Mississippians will still suffer. We can not play politics with the health of our people. We must expand Medicaid and end this healthcare crisis once and for all.”
“In the middle of a statewide hospital crisis, Tate Reeves is using cash-strapped health care providers as a prop,” said State Rep. Zakiya Summers. “This year, St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson closed its entire behavioral health unit, laying off 157 workers, and filling the psychiatric beds at nearby hospitals. These dollars are a drop in the bucket compared to the relief hardworking Mississippians and hospitals would receive from expanding Medicaid. We must expand Medicaid and deliver quality care to Mississippians.”
“As a registered nurse, it is sickening watching Tate Reeves play politics with peoples’ lives,” said Teresa Roberts, a registered nurse in Tupelo. “Tate Reeves has said time and again that he will block Medicaid expansion. He won’t do it because he says it’s bad for his ‘personal political interest’ and you know he only cares about our healthcare if it affects his political career. I can tell you our people are sick. If we don’t expand Medicaid and insure our people, folks are going to suffer and they’re going to die.”
This comes after Reeves refused to say a word about the crisis for months:
The CEO of Delta Health Hospital criticized Reeves for his failure to understand how essential Medicaid expansion is to the health of Mississippi, saying, “We don’t understand why Tate Reeves doesn’t understand why he needs a healthy workforce.” What was Reeves’ response?
“The governor’s office and his campaign did not respond to a request for comment.” [Mississippi Today, 7/13/23]
St. Dominic’s Hospital laid off 157 workers and closed its entire behavioral health unit. Hospitals in the Jackson area are already feeling the effects, with psychiatric beds at two other hospitals in Jackson full and not accepting any more patients. Hmm… what did the governor say about the loss of 157 jobs in his backyard?
“Reeves, meanwhile, has not made a statement on the St. Dominic's layoffs.” [Clarion Ledger, 7/6/23]
When KPC Promise Hospital faced the prospect of closing months ago, what did Reeves have to say?
“Spokespeople for Reeves did not reply to requests for comment.” [Mississippi Today, 5/18/23]
KPC Promise Hospital in Vicksburg closed after months of struggling financially. Did Reeves say anything here?
“A spokesperson for the Reeves campaign had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.” [Clarion Ledger, 7/12/23]
After North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo announced layoffs, what did Reeves say about these lost jobs? You guessed it - nothing.
“As of press time, the Reeves campaign had not responded to a request for comment.” [Daily Journal, 7/13/23]