Mississippi lawmakers set to meet this week on women, children and families

by

kobee vance

• Published on September 26, 2022 • Last modified on September 23, 2022 • Comments

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann tells reporters Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, that the state should provide health insurance for working people, but sharply rebuffed a question about expanding Medicaid, at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., following the start of the latest Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

A senate committee will hold two public hearings this week to discuss drafting legislation that can help Mississippi women, children and families.

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The Study Committee on Women Children and Families was formed this summer by Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. The decision activated the state’s 2007 trigger law banning nearly all abortions, and many conservative lawmakers say they now want to focus on improving the lives of Mississippians before, during and after birth. Republican Senator Nicole Boyd of Oxford chairs the committee.

“Our number one goal in the state should be that we have healthy mothers having healthy babies,” says Boyd. “And so we’re going to do that by looking at the healthcare for mothers and infants. We’re going to be looking at the feasibility of extending postpartum care from six weeks to twelve months. Focusing on infant healthcare as well.”

This year, the state senate did pass a bill that would have extended post-partum Medicaid benefits from six weeks to twelve months. But the bill was never taken up in the House and died on the calendar. Senator Boyd says conversations have already begun on if and how the two chambers can reach an agreement.

Boyd says “We’re very much trying to open the door to house members to see if we can all take a look at what the senate feels is an incredibly important issue, and making sure that these mothers are healthy and are able to raise healthy children.”

Lawmakers are also investigating policies to improve financial opportunities for families, as well as investing in the state’s child protective services system.

The meetings this week will begin at 9:00 am tomorrow and Wednesday. They will be live streamed and community input can be provided through email at WCFStudyGroup@senate.ms.gov.