National Health Care Reform's Impact on Mississippi

State AARP Director Sherri Davis-Garner advocates for health care reform in favor of her clients.

Over a half million Mississippians lack health coverage, and a majority of the state's uninsured don't have access to a doctor. MPB's Carl Gibson examines how proposed national health reform could affect the state.

The director of the Mississippi Institute for Community-Based Research contends a robust job market won't fix the health care crisis. Citing the 2009 Delta Rural Poll, John Green says both sides in the national debate are missing a key issue.

"What our study demonstrates is that we have a group of people who are...who may be working, and may be doing everything that they're supposed to that we expect as a society, and yet still don't have access to health care. That that's a problem."

HR 3962 would expand medicare and medicaid if passed . Mississippi AARP Director Sherri Davis-Garner says this is necessary for aging baby boomers who rely on government insurance.

"444,000 Mississippians depend on Medicare. These are huge numbers. We're talking about a huge savings. And we're talking about barriers being removed, allowing people, I think, a right to be healthy."

However, local business owners fear the bill's employer mandates. Ron Arlidge with the National Federation of Independent Business in Mississippi says federal regulations would cripple the state's business climate.

"These businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and have cut everywhere they could to the bone. In many cases, cutting the pay, they've had to cut their employees' pay, and in many cases, of course, are having to cut their employees."

The only Mississippi Congressman to vote the bill that cleared the US House last Saturday was the 2nd District's Bennie Thompson. The bill now moves to the Senate where both Mississippi Senators plan to vote NO.