JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Democrats in the Mississippi Legislature said Wednesday they've come up with a way to provide health coverage to about 300,000 people without expanding Medicaid.

The state could use federal money to help low-income people buy private health insurance, the Democratic lawmakers said. Arkansas lawmakers approved a similar plan earlier this year and are awaiting federal approval for it.

Mississippi Democrats said their plan has elements to please people from both parties: It would fulfill their wish to reduce the number of uninsured people, while giving Republicans a market-based approach to the coverage.