Mississippi News
Mississippi among worst in racial health disparities, new report finds
Mississippi among worst in racial health disparities, new report finds
An extensive report from the Commonwealth Fund has found deep-seated racial health disparities in all 50 states — with many more pronounced in Mississippi than anywhere else in the nation.
Across 24 measures graded in a Health Equity Scorecard, Mississippi ranked near the bottom or last when measuring health outcomes, health care access and health care quality for both its Black and white populations. Only one state, Oklahoma, had a lower overall health care rating for its Black population.
The number of deaths in Mississippi from potentially preventable diseases, like diabetes, that are given effective and timely health care are much higher than the national average for both racial groups. However, in nearly all categories where disparities were measured, they were more pronounced for Mississippi's Black population.
READ MORE: The full report from the Commonwealth Fund.
For example, Mississippi's health system scores in the 8th percentile for Black residents, but much higher for white residents, in the 38th percentile. Compared to 38 states with large Black populations, Mississippi's health system ranks 37th overall.
Mississippi also performed poorly for insured and uninsured patients, showing that there are issues in health care delivery for those who have access on paper. There is one specific policy issue, however, that is partly responsible for the sheer breadth of the disparities in the state's health care system: Medicaid expansion.
“Improving people's health care requires people to have health insurance coverage, and you're not going to see a narrowing of disparities in states like Mississippi unless you provide health insurance coverage for everyone in the state,” said Sarah Collins, vice president for health care coverage and access at Commonwealth. “We've seen in other states that the disparities narrow in coverage once they expand Medicaid. So this would be a critical first step for Mississippi. It's not the last step, but would be a critical first one.”
Mississippi is one of 12 states that haven't expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Doing so would allow thousands of low-income Mississippians eligible for tax credits through the ACA marketplace. Without these tax credits, the few plans that are available on the state's marketplace are too expensive for those that fall in this “coverage gap.”
The state's top elected officials, most notably Gov. Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, oppose Medicaid expansion, and have long maintained that the state cannot afford the costs.
If Medicaid were expanded, the federal government would cover 90% of the health care costs related to expansion, while Mississippi would have to cover the remaining 10%. In September, one of Mississippi's top economists released a study showing that the 10% state match would be more than covered by health care-related savings to the state and new tax revenue generated.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Warm and breezy tomorrow ahead of Monday storms – Home – WCBI TV
SUMMARY: Breezy conditions will continue tonight with partly cloudy skies in Columbus, Mississippi. Tomorrow will be warm and breezy with increasing clouds ahead of storms expected on Monday. Rain chances will persist throughout the week. Overnight temperatures will be in the low 60s with partly cloudy skies. Sunday will see mostly dry conditions with some clouds and highs in the 80s. Thunderstorms are expected on Monday followed by showers for the next few days. High temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s next week.
The post Warm and breezy tomorrow ahead of Monday storms – Home – WCBI TV appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
No. 23 Alabama tops Ole Miss 10-3 to win series, Rebs drop to 7-14 in SEC play
SUMMARY: No. 23 Alabama defeated Ole Miss 10-3 in their series, with Mason Nichols pitching well for the Crimson Tide. The game was tied at one in the sixth inning before Alabama pulled ahead and outscored Ole Miss 9-2 in the final three innings. Ole Miss won a thrilling Game 2 but ultimately fell short in winning the series, dropping to 7-14 in SEC play. The Rebels will face Mississippi State next, with the last time they were 7-14 in SEC play being in 2022, the season they won the national title. The game can be watched on ESPNU at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The post No. 23 Alabama tops Ole Miss 10-3 to win series, Rebs drop to 7-14 in SEC play appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Mississippi Senate agrees to a new school funding formula, sending plan to the governor
SUMMARY: Mississippi lawmakers are considering replacing the outdated Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) with a new funding formula, the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. This new plan aims to provide more financial support to school districts, especially for students with additional needs. The bill has passed in both the state Senate and House, with some dissenting votes. Critics argue that the Legislature has consistently underfunded education in the past. The new formula would allocate an additional $217 million for schools compared to the current MAEP budget. Republican Sen. Angela Hill expressed concerns about funding for students learning English as a second language due to immigration issues.
The post Mississippi Senate agrees to a new school funding formula, sending plan to the governor appeared first on www.wjtv.com
-
Local News3 days ago
Sister of Mississippi man who died after police pulled him from car rejects lawsuit settlement
-
Mississippi News7 days ago
2 dead, 6 hurt in shooting at Memphis, Tennessee block party: police
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
Forest landowners can apply for federal emergency loans
-
Mississippi Today3 days ago
At Lake High School in Scott County, the Un-Team will never be forgotten
-
Mississippi News15 hours ago
One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase
-
Mississippi News5 days ago
Cicadas expected to takeover north Mississippi counties soon
-
Mississippi News4 days ago
Viewers make allegations against Hatley teacher, school district releases statement – Home – WCBI TV
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
Nationwide health alert issued for ground beef over potential E. coli risk