SUMMARY: Mississippi's Legislature is facing challenges in expanding Medicaid, with disagreements over whether to let voters decide on the issue. House and Senate negotiators proposed Medicaid expansion with a work requirement, which was not well-received by House Democrats. Business leaders, clergy members, and health advocates are lobbying for Medicaid expansion in Mississippi due to poor health outcomes. Senate leaders are firm on including a work requirement in the expansion, despite potential veto from Governor Tate Reeves. Georgia is the only state with a Medicaid work requirement, currently suing the federal government to maintain it. The proposal aims to expand coverage to low-income individuals in Mississippi.

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SUMMARY: United Methodist delegates repealed the church's ban on LGBTQ clergy with an overwhelming vote of 692-51 at their General Conference. This change removes the rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. The change does not mandate or explicitly affirm LGBTQ clergy, but it means the church no longer forbids them. Additionally, a measure was approved that forbids penalizing clergy for performing or refraining from same-sex weddings. This historic change comes after years of debate and controversy within the denomination. The vote could lead to some international churches, particularly in Africa, departing from the United Methodist Church.

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SUMMARY: Mississippi Democrats are cautious about approving a Medicaid expansion plan due to false hope it may create. The plan includes a work requirement for new Medicaid recipients and is being discussed by House and Senate leaders. Mississippi is one of the poorest states and has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans and Democrats have differing views on the expansion, with some seeing it as vital for providing healthcare to low-income individuals. The federal government may reject Mississippi's work requirement, leading to ongoing approval challenges. The plan aims to expand Medicaid coverage to thousands of residents in need.

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