Nurse Warns ‘People Are Going To Die And They’re Going To Suffer' As Tate Reeves’ Refusal to Expand Medicaid Devastates Hospitals

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September 6, 2023                

Nurse Warns ‘People Are Going To Die And They’re Going To Suffer' As Tate Reeves’ Refusal to Expand Medicaid Devastates Hospitals

Tupelo, MS – Today, State Rep. Rickey Thompson, local leaders, and healthcare professionals sent warnings of hospital depredation as Tate Reeves refuses to expand Medicaid. In July, North Mississippi Medical Center announced that it will be laying off employees, cutting their hours and reassigning them to different jobs.

“We understand what’s going on with the hospital closures,” said State Representative Rickey Thompson. “The first thing we need to do is make sure we have healthcare for everyone in the state of Mississippi. When it comes to those babies, it’s very important that those moms have health insurance. If we don’t save our hospitals and have institutions to go to, what's going to happen to our moms and our babies? If we expand Medicaid we will have insurance for working individuals.”

“As a registered nurse, I can attest that saving our hospitals is worthwhile,” said Teresa Roberts. “Being an experienced nurse who worked in ICU, ER, and surgical health floors, I can tell you our people are sick. If we don’t have our rural hospitals, our rural emergency rooms people are going to suffer and they’re going to die.” 

“Begin to ask questions,” said Charles Moore. “Why are they getting richer and we’re getting poorer, but at the same time your health is going and many of your family members are not being serviced. The same ones who refuse to expand Medicaid: their families are well, their families are healthy. The same Governor who has been over this system for the longest is up for re-election now.”

Instead of supporting a solution staring him square in the face, Tate Reeves has blocked Mississippi from expanding Medicaid which has led to more hospital closures and higher health care costs for hard-working Mississippians. While Mississippi hospitals close or struggle to keep their doors open, Tate Reeves has said nothing about the hospital crisis. He won’t issue a statement and he certainly won’t enact policies that would save hospitals and save lives. He has been silent while jobs are lost, essential services are cut, and a hospital closed down. There always seems to be enough money for Tate Reeves and his rich friends and never enough for hard-working Mississippians.

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