HB 2020
Mississippi Medicaid Expansion Act
Also known as: "MS Medicaid Expansion"
Sponsored by Rep. Missy McGee (R) · 8 cosponsors
Legislative timeline
Introduced
Failed / died
Failed to advance out of House Medicaid Committee; session ended without floor vote
Last reviewed by our editors: Apr 22, 2026
What this bill does
HB 2020 would have expanded Mississippi Medicaid eligibility to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level under the ACA. Mississippi is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid. The bill failed in the 2025 legislative session, dying in committee. Advocates plan to reintroduce it in the 2026 session.
An estimated 200,000 Mississippians currently fall in the coverage gap — earning too much for pre-ACA Medicaid but too little for marketplace subsidies. The state would receive a 90% federal match for expansion enrollees, generating significant new federal funding for the state economy.
Who benefits
An estimated 200,000 Mississippians in the coverage gap who currently have no viable insurance option. Hospitals across Mississippi facing closure that would receive Medicaid reimbursement for uncompensated care. Rural communities that have experienced 12 hospital closures since 2010.
Who loses / who opposes
Republican legislative leadership has blocked expansion for a decade, citing state budget concerns and ideological opposition to the ACA. Some legislators argue the federal government cannot guarantee the 90% match in perpetuity. The bill failed in committee, with the sponsor unable to build sufficient coalition support.
Impact on Black communities
Mississippi has the highest Black population share of any state (38%) and also the highest poverty rate. Black Mississippians are disproportionately represented in the Medicaid coverage gap — an estimated 60% of those in the gap are Black or Latino. Mississippi has the worst Black maternal mortality rate in the nation (78.6 per 100,000 live births). Multiple studies show Medicaid expansion reduces Black-white disparities in preventable hospitalizations, late-stage cancer diagnoses, and cardiovascular mortality.
What you can do
The 2026 legislative session begins in January. Contact your Mississippi state representative and senator now to urge support when the bill is reintroduced. Mississippi State House: 601-359-3770.
Support advocacy: Mississippi Center for Justice (mscenterforjustice.org), Cover Mississippi (covermississippi.org).