Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Sept. 21 unveiled plans to reform Medicaid that he said will benefit the state's hospitals by almost $700 million.
Opponents, meanwhile, are questioning the timing of such reforms just over a month before the governor faces a competitive election, Mississippi Today reported.
Although Mr. Reeves has been a fierce opponent of Medicaid expansion, fellow state Republicans have appeared to warm to expansion in recent weeks. Critics, however, said the governor's plans are simply to do with polling numbers.
"Tate Reeves has had 12 long years to do something about Mississippi’s hospital crisis and 47 days before an election is too little, too late for the hospitals that have cut essential services, lost jobs, or are on the brink of closing altogether," his Democratic gubernatorial race opponent Brandon Presley said in a statement.
Mr. Presley's supporters also chanted "Too little, too Tate," outside the governor's office in Jackson.
Some of the planned reforms include proposals that Mr. Reeves either previously vetoed or said will not work, including initiatives on prior authorization, according to the report.
Mr. Reeves has rejected any claims his moves are politically expedient.
"I am going to get criticized no matter what I do," he said. "This is governing, bringing people together to find solutions."