Need Help With This Assignment?

Let Our Team of Professional Writers Write a PLAGIARISM-FREE Paper for You!

SUBMIT YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Essay, Medicine and Health, Pages: 5

PH 528 Policy Analysis 2

PH 528 Policy Analysis 2

Problem Identification

How should Medicaid be expanded in the state of Mississippi to improve healthcare access while considering economic and political feasibility?

Background

Medicaid is a joint federal-state healthcare program designed to provide medical coverage to low-income individuals, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, states have had the option to expand Medicaid to cover individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL), with the federal government covering 90% of expansion costs (Harrison, 2023). However, Mississippi remains one of the few states that has not adopted full Medicaid expansion, leaving a large portion of its low-income population uninsured and unable to afford basic healthcare services: PH 528 Policy Analysis 2.

As of 2025, the state legislature is reconsidering Medicaid expansion, with two key options under discussion: full expansion under the ACA or a limited expansion focused on postpartum women. This debate arises amid growing concerns about Mississippi’s high uninsured rate, poor maternal health outcomes, and struggling rural hospitals (Bullinger et al., 2022). Currently, Medicaid in Mississippi covers pregnant women only up to 60 days postpartum, leaving many without coverage during a critical period for maternal and infant health. A postpartum Medicaid extension bill, which would have expanded coverage to 12 months postpartum, was rejected in 2022 but is up for reconsideration in 2025 (Bullinger et al., 2022).

With disproportionately high risks for Black women, Mississippi is one of the states with the highest rates of maternal and newborn mortality. Additionally, the state has one of the highest hospital closure rates due to high levels of uncompensated care (Maharjan et al., 2024). Without expansion, hospitals continue to absorb unpaid medical bills, forcing some to shut down.

Medicaid expansion would bring billions in federal funding, increase access to preventive care, and reduce emergency room visits, ultimately lowering long-term healthcare costs. Expanding Medicaid is not solely a health issue but entails decisions about the economy and societal stability for one to decide between full expansion or limited expansion, which only targets postpartum women.

Landscape Analysis of Medicaid Expansion in Mississippi

The debate over Medicaid expansion in Mississippi is shaped by political, economic, social, and legal factors. The state may choose to fully expand under the ACA or to offer a more constrained postpartum Medicaid extension. Although universal extension provides a wider range of benefits, postpartum extension is politically more realistic and focuses on maternal outcomes.

Political Considerations

The political landscape in Mississippi has historically been resistant to Medicaid expansion, largely due to Republican control of the governorship and state legislature. Mississippi is one of the seven states that have not yet committed to the ACA for Medicaid expansion, mainly due to government intrusion, reliance on federal funding, and future implications. Some conservatives also criticized that expansion would amount to a disincentive for more Americans to seek employment and thus gain their healthcare coverage from their employers.

However, political transformation, as well as certain changes in public opinion, began to affect this process more recently. A survey conducted in 2023 revealed that 80% of the Mississippi population supports the expansion of Medicaid, showing the popularity of increased access to healthcare (Steenland & Wherry, 2023).

Some Republican legislators have also started supporting a more limited extension of postpartum Medicaid eligibility due to Mississippi’s high maternal mortality rate and the clear need to address the issue in that state. Representative Joey Hood, chairman of the House Medicaid Committee, has been a key proponent of this compromise solution, arguing that postpartum extension is more politically feasible than full expansion (Steenland & Wherry, 2023).

At the federal level, the Trump administration has continued to push for Medicaid expansion, offering additional financial incentives to states that have not yet expanded coverage. If federal funding incentives continue, Mississippi lawmakers may eventually reconsider their stance. However, state conservative leadership remains resistant, making the likelihood of full Medicaid expansion uncertain in the near future.

Economic Considerations

Medicaid expansion has significant financial implications for Mississippi’s budget and healthcare sector. One key advantage is federal funding, which would cover 90% of expansion costs, leaving the state responsible for just 10% (Maharjan et al., 2024). This federal investment would bring billions into Mississippi’s economy, strengthening rural hospitals and healthcare infrastructure.

Currently, Mississippi hospitals struggle financially due to high levels of uncompensated care. Rural hospitals face closures, reducing access to medical services for thousands. Medicaid expansion would reduce unpaid hospital bills, leading to stronger financial stability (Harrison, 2023). Additionally, the expansion would create jobs in hospitals, clinics, and administrative services, further stimulating economic growth.

Opponents argue that Medicaid expansion could strain the state budget, especially if enrollment exceeds projections. Some fear future federal funding cuts, increasing Mississippi’s financial burden.

However, states that expanded Medicaid generally experience net positive economic effects, as increased federal funds outweigh state expenses (Ward, 2020). A more conservative alternative is the postpartum Medicaid extension, which costs significantly less while addressing maternal health. However, it does not provide broad economic benefits or relieve financial burdens on hospitals.

Social and Public Health Considerations

Mississippi ranks among the worst states in healthcare outcomes, making Medicaid expansion a critical public health issue. The high uninsured rate limits access to preventive care, leading to worsening chronic health conditions. Expanding Medicaid would provide coverage to over 200,000 Mississippians, ensuring early disease detection and better management of conditions like diabetes and hypertension (Harrison, 2023). States that have expanded Medicaid have seen lower mortality rates and improved public health outcomes.

Maternal and infant health is another urgent concern. Mississippi has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates, disproportionately affecting Black women. Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months would address this crisis by ensuring continuous medical care for new mothers (Harrison, 2023).

However, while postpartum extension provides critical maternal health benefits, it fails to address healthcare needs before pregnancy or after the postpartum period. Full Medicaid expansion would provide consistent healthcare for low-income women, improving maternal and child health on a broader scale.

Additionally, Medicaid expansion would help reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare. Studies show that expansion states experience a decline in racial health disparities as more individuals gain access to preventive services (Wilensky & Teitelbaum, 2023). Without expansion, racial and income-based disparities will persist, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Medicaid expansion involves legal and regulatory challenges, particularly concerning state vs. federal authority. Under the ACA, states can voluntarily expand Medicaid, but Mississippi has chosen not to, keeping eligibility highly restrictive (Steenland & Wherry, 2023). One major concern among opponents is the possibility of future federal funding cuts.

While the ACA guarantees 90% federal coverage, some lawmakers fear that future administrations may reduce funding, shifting more costs to Mississippi. However, Medicaid funding has remained stable in expansion states, and many have implemented cost-sharing measures to manage state expenses.

Expanding Medicaid would require legislative approval and administrative changes, including enrollment expansion and provider coordination. This could increase administrative costs, but over time, federal funding would offset these expenses. In contrast, the postpartum Medicaid extension would be easier to implement, requiring minimal legal and administrative adjustments.

Subsequently, ACA guidelines state that full expansion is a legal possibility. However, political barriers pose a significant threat. The legislation of the postpartum extension is less extensive and due to the Republican support in the state, is destined to pass in the legislature.

Policy Options

There are two broadly lit policy choices in Mississippi on Medicaid: full expansion under the ACA or a restricted postpartum Medicaid extension. While full expansion is highly beneficial for the state economy and citizens’ health, postpartum extension is a politically viable solution because it aims at improving women’s health without significantly changing the Medicaid program.

Option 1: Full Medicaid Expansion

Full expansion of the program would entitle those earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to get a full Medicaid coverage, which is about 219,000 uninsured citizens of Mississippi. The federal government will contribute 90% while the state of Mississippi will contribute 10% of the total cost (Maharjan et al., 2024). This would increase coverage in preventive services, easy control of chronic illnesses, and hospital charges regarding patients and hospitals.

Pros

Expanding Medicaid would significantly reduce the uninsured rate, ensuring that low-income individuals gain consistent healthcare access. It would also lessen uncompensated care costs, preventing rural hospital closures and improving financial stability in the healthcare sector. Economically, Medicaid expansion would bring billions in federal funding, boosting job creation and stimulating state revenue growth. Additionally, expansion states have reported better health outcomes, including lower mortality rates and improved chronic disease management.

Cons

Opponents argue that expansion could strain the state budget, as Mississippi would need to cover 10% of the costs. Political resistance remains strong, with conservative lawmakers opposing government expansion. There is also concern that higher-than-expected enrollment could drive upstate expenses.

Option 2: Postpartum Medicaid Extension

This option extends Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months postpartum, addressing Mississippi’s high maternal mortality rate.

Pros

The postpartum extension is politically viable, as some Republican lawmakers support it. It is less expensive than full expansion and requires fewer administrative changes.

Cons

It fails to cover the broader uninsured population, leaving many adults without healthcare access. Hospitals would still face uncompensated care burdens, and long-term economic benefits would be minimal.

Notably, while postpartum extension is a step forward, full Medicaid expansion remains the more effective, long-term solution for Mississippi’s healthcare system.

Recommendation

Mississippi should adopt full Medicaid expansion rather than the limited postpartum extension. While the postpartum extension addresses a critical issue—maternal and infant health—it does not provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to the state’s broader uninsured population. The full expansion would extend coverage to over 200,000 low-income Mississippians, reducing uncompensated hospital care costs, improving public health outcomes, and bringing billions in federal funding to the state (Maharjan et al., 2024).

Economically, full expansion is a sustainable investment. The federal government covers 90% of the costs, meaning Mississippi’s financial burden is minimal. Additionally, Medicaid expansion has been shown to boost job creation in the healthcare sector and stimulate economic growth.

While political resistance exists, policymakers can mitigate concerns by implementing cost-control measures and gradual expansion strategies. Ultimately, full Medicaid expansion offers the greatest long-term benefits, ensuring a healthier, more economically stable Mississippi while aligning with national healthcare trends.

References

Bullinger, L. R., Simon, K., & Edmonds, B. T. (2022). Coverage effects of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion on adult reproductive-aged women, postpartum mothers, and mothers with older children. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 89(79). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03384-8

Harrison, B. (2023, February 1). Every Medicaid expansion bill dies without debate or vote. Mississippi Today. https://mississippitoday.org/2023/02/01/medicaid-expansion-bills-die/

Maharjan, S., Goswami, S., Rong, Y., Kirby, T., Smith, D., Brett, C. X., Pittman, E. L., & Bhattacharya, K. (2024). Risk factors for severe maternal morbidity among women enrolled in Mississippi Medicaid. JAMA Network Open, 7(1), e2350750. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.50750

Steenland, M. W., & Wherry, L. R. (2023). Medicaid expansion led to reductions in postpartum hospitalizations. Health Affairs, 42(1), 18–25. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00819

Ward, B. (2020, May 5). The impact of medicaid expansion on states’ budgets. The Commonwealth Fund. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2020/may/impact-medicaid-expansion-states-budgets

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Question

Policy Analysis #2 (250 points)

PH 528 Final Exam

Graduate Students Only

Introduction: State Representative Joey Hood (Mississippi District 35) is the chairman of the Mississippi State House of Representatives Medicaid Committee. In 2022, the House let a measure die without a vote that would have allowed pregnant women who already qualify for Medicaid to get healthcare for an additional 10 months after childbirth. This bill is again up for debate in 2025.

There is little debate to be had about the merits of expanding Medicaid in Mississippi. However, there are competing viewpoints as to whether the best option is to fully expand Medicaid as allowed under the Affordable Care Act or to expand particular benefits for unique populations (like the postpartum bill). Representative Hood has asked you to write a policy analysis on this issue.

Sections: Must be 5 pages minimum- section page amounts are suggestions

  1. Problem Identification (1 sentence)
    1. How should Medicaid be expanded in the state of Mississippi?

 

  1. Background (~1 page)
    1. Informs the reader why this particular problem has been chosen for analysis

 

  1. Landscape (~3 pages)
    1. Provides the overall context for the analysis, organized by key factors

 

  1. Options (~1.5 pages)
    1. State the two options (fully expand Medicaid or only expand particular benefits for unique populations) and give the positive and negative aspects of each

 

  1. Recommendation (~0.5 pages)
    1. Choose one of your options as your recommendation and state why it is favored over the other option

      PH 528 Policy Analysis 2

      PH 528 Policy Analysis 2

Policy Analysis Format:

  • No title, heading, or title page needed- just begin with your problem question
  • Bolded section titles
  • 5 pages of content (minimum, can be more) + reference page(s)
  • Double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman font
  • Can include tables if that helps to organize your thoughts

Other Notes:

  • Read and use Ch. 14 in your textbook, which outlines how to write a policy analysis
  • All information should include an in-text citation and a mention on your reference page, cited in APA style
    • Can reference scholarly articles, news articles, and reputable government, health, or non-profit agencies
  • Avoid direct quotations from references- paraphrase and cite
    • Your policy analysis will be run through SafeAssign to check for plagiarism- a SafeAssign score of more than 20% will receive an automatic zero

Due Date: Submit through Blackboard as a .doc or .docx file by 11:59 PM on Friday 3/7.

Below are some articles that provide context to this issue. I recommend reading these before beginning your own research: