Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republican Gov. Phil Bryant says Mississippi needs to pursue health care businesses to promote economic growth.

He says the state is working to create "medical corridors" by offering incentives to private companies such as pharmaceutical firms, medical equipment manufacturers and others.

Bryant hosted a health care economic development meeting Thursday at the Jackson Convention Complex.

He told an audience of about 700 that, "The more we get the government out of health care, the better off we would be."

He did not mention his opposition to Medicaid expansion, which is an option under the 2010 federal health overhaul.

Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran, a Democrat, said outside the meeting that expanding Medicaid would provide health coverage to 300,000 working Mississippians, with the federal government paying most of the tab.