Jackson Free Press

On Thursday, the State Senate debated and passed the Medicaid Technical Amendments bill, H.B. 105. Thanks to your support and calls, the bill was amended to include language that would eliminate face to face recertification for children under the age of 16.

Both Senators Debbie Dawkins and David Blount offered varying amendments to curtail face to face. The Senate adopted Sen. Blount's amendment to end in-person recertification for Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries that are 16 and under by a vote of 25-21. Both Senators Dawkins and Blount are due tremendous appreciation for speaking up for the healthcare of Mississippi children, on the Senate floor.

However, HB 105 was held on a motion to reconsider by Senator Terry Burton. This means that the full senate may have an opportunity to vote for the bill again. Senators have been known to change their mind and their vote. There may be an attempt by proponents of face to face to strike it from the bill when it comes up the motion to reconsider calendar.

YOUR CALLS ARE NEEDED THIS WEEKEND!
TOGETHER WE CAN HELP ELIMINATE FACE TO FACE.

Face to face supporters will be working hard this weekend to reverse the votes of the Senators who voted for the amendment. Your voice is needed to counter their pressure. This weekend, please take to the time to call and thank the Senators who voted to eliminate face to face for children.

Click here for the list. Thank these senators for their vote to eliminate this barrier to healthcare and ask them to remain vigilant in their support of its removal.

Click here for a list of the Senators who voted against the amendment to end face-to-face. Please call these Senators and let them know that face to face serves as only a barrier to health care for thousands of Mississippi Children. Tell these senators that face to face has resulted in:

* Thousands of children being left without healthcare.
* Millions in new administrative costs.
* The potential loss of millions more in the form of bonus payments from the federal government for eliminating this enrollment barrier.
* Mississippi being the last and only state with this policy.

WE NEED YOU!

We need your continued support to ensure accessible health care for all of Mississippi's children. Eliminating face to face is a step in that direction. Please stay vigilant and call your senator this weekend and let them know what you think.