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Food Policy Council News
MHAP is hiring - Food Policy Community Organizer
Posted Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) is now hiring a Community Organizer for its food policy initiative. If you are a committed advocate for strengthening Mississippi’s food system, this position may be for you.
Farmers Market Boost
May 8, 2012 -Jackson Free Press
A new Mississippi law this year allows cities and counties to now donate money to local farmers markets.Gov. Phil Bryant signed HB 535 into law late last month, giving county and city authorities the go-ahead to donate funds to their local farmers markets. The law applies to farmers markets within the city or county that are certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
Farm to School Aims to Fight Childhood Obesity
April 30, 2012 - Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Mississippi farmers could be the key to fighting childhood obesity in the state. MPB’s Daniel Cherry reports how a new program aims to put fresh, locally grown produce on the plates of Mississippi schoolchildren.
Partnership pushing healthy eating habits
April 23, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
UnitedHealthcare teams up with the Alcorn State University Extension Program Demonstration Farm to get fresh produce to the community, promoting healthful eating and preventative healthcare.
Farm-to-school Plan Takes Root
February 23, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
Determined to ensure their children aren’t deprived of fresh fruit and greens outside the home, parents at a Starkville preschool have boosted a farm-to-school initiative that aims to transplant healthy, locally grown produce in school cafeterias.
Health Care Reform News
Feds talk about effects of health care reform in Mississippi
May 4, 2012 - WLOX
Because of healthcare reform, the Department of Health and Human Services said last year 33,510 Mississippi senior citizens saved an average of $600 on prescriptions. Officials said 357,504 Mississippians saw their private insurance coverage expand to include free preventative services like mammograms and blood pressure screenings.
Health Help Mississippi improves options in Desoto County
April 5, 2012 - Commercial Appeal
With an initial campaign aimed at boosting health care options for young adults, the nonprofit Health Help Mississippi has opened a 22-county regional base on the Hernando square at 2560 U.S. 51 S.
Groups Watching As Mississippi Develops Insurance Exchange
April 5, 2012 - Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Mississippi is on its way to developing one of the nation’s first health insurance exchange programs. MPB’s Daniel Cherry reports how many groups are watching closely as the state builds the insurance marketplace.
State’s health care exchange idea predates federal act
March 29, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
Mississippi’s Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, elected in 2007 after 15 years in the Legislature, has broken ranks with other Red State officials in the South who blanketly oppose ACA. Chaney, long a believer in high-risk insurance pools, got out front on the health insurance exchange idea in 2009 (before passage of ACA) by shepherding into state law discretionary power for him to create one. (Barbour supported the idea back then.)
Health care law worth celebrating
March 23, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
Help is here and more is on the way because of the ACA. Many of our neighbors, friends and families are already benefitting from the ACA.
Health Help Mississippi News
Health Help Mississippi improves options in Desoto County
April 5, 2012 - Commercial Appeal
With an initial campaign aimed at boosting health care options for young adults, the nonprofit Health Help Mississippi has opened a 22-county regional base on the Hernando square at 2560 U.S. 51 S.
State’s health care exchange idea predates federal act
March 29, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
Mississippi’s Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, elected in 2007 after 15 years in the Legislature, has broken ranks with other Red State officials in the South who blanketly oppose ACA. Chaney, long a believer in high-risk insurance pools, got out front on the health insurance exchange idea in 2009 (before passage of ACA) by shepherding into state law discretionary power for him to create one. (Barbour supported the idea back then.)
Half of All Mississippi Kids Could Soon Be On Medicaid or CHIP
March 1, 2012 - MPB
New research shows that the recent health care overhaul could mean a growing number of Mississippi kids will get their health insurance through the government. MPB’s Jeffrey Hess reports child welfare advocates see the expansion as good news for the health of Mississippi’s youngest residents.
Health law keeps 2.5 million young adults insured
December 14, 2011 - Reuters
U.S. healthcare reforms have enabled 2.5 million young adults to join or remain in their parents’ health insurance plans, the U.S. government said on Wednesday, up from 1 million reported earlier this year.
A scramble to shape the new health insurance exchanges
November 5, 2011 - Washington Post
From insurance companies to drug stores to doctors, just about any industry that touches the health care system has a different opinion on how the Obama administration should shape the new insurance markets at the heart of the health-care reform law.
Medicaid/SCHIP News
Half of All Mississippi Kids Could Soon Be On Medicaid or CHIP
March 1, 2012 - MPB
New research shows that the recent health care overhaul could mean a growing number of Mississippi kids will get their health insurance through the government. MPB’s Jeffrey Hess reports child welfare advocates see the expansion as good news for the health of Mississippi’s youngest residents.
Bryant Pushes for Medicaid Reforms
February 3, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
Gov. Phil Bryant wants to perform a magic trick of sorts: reform Mississippi’s Medicaid program so it doesn’t cost any more state money next year. Program officials were expecting costs to increase by 16 percent.
New rules proposed for public aid in Mississippi
February 5, 2012 - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
JACKSON — People who receive public assistance would be subject to random testing for drugs or nicotine and would have to perform community service under new requirements being considered by Mississippi lawmakers.
Medicaid Assistance: Non-Smokers Only?
January 30, 2012 - Jackson Free Press
Medicaid recipients—and the agencies that provide services to them—could face a slew of new restrictions, including random drug tests, community service and nicotine testing if several bills in the Senate pass.
Health budget cut feared
January 22, 2012 - Clarion Ledger
Legislative budget writers want to slash the state general fund appropriation for the state Department of Health to $20.7 million - the lowest level it has seen since 1990, when it received $20.3 million.