Join Us
Share a Story
Tell a Friend
MHAP Blog
Facebook
YouTube
Digg.comNews Center
Health Care Reform News
Judge: Gov. can’t bypass Legislature on hospital tax
The Clarion Ledger, 7/10/08
Gov. Haley Barbour cannot bypass the Legislature to increase hospital taxes to pay for Medicaid, a Hinds County chancery court judge ruled today.
Rep. John Mayo: RESPECT
Clarion Ledger, 7/10/08
There are very few ways to gain/earn respect.
Mississippi makes its trauma-care system mandatory
Sun Herald, 7/10/08
Joining Mississippi’s trauma-care network is no longer voluntary. The state Board of Health on Wednesday approved new regulations requiring all hospitals to participate in the system or pay to opt out.
Barbour: Medicaid cuts could come next month
The Clarion Ledger, 7/10/08
Gov. Haley Barbour, on the losing side of a lawsuit over his ability to tax hospitals, said he will start the process of making cuts to Medicaid providers today.
Obesity Rates Up in 37 States: Report
U.S. News & World Report
The obesity epidemic in America has gotten worse—not better—in the last year, despite public service campaigns warning about the health risks posed by carrying too much weight, a new report found. The five fattest states and their obesity rates are Mississippi (31.7 percent), West Virginia (30.6 percent), Alabama (30.1 percent), Louisiana (29.5 percent) and South Carolina (29.2 percent).
Health Help for Kids News
Tax panel supports 50-cent cigarette tax
Daily Journal
Speed said he did not think the grocery tax should be reduced because it is one tax everyone pays. Mississippi’s grocery tax of 7 percent is the highest ...
TAX STUDY COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE FALL SHORT
MHAP Press Release
The Governor’s Tax Study Commission did not go far enough by recommending an 18 or 32 cent cigarette tax increase. A cigarette tax increase of 18 or 32 cents—the amounts offered in the Commissions draft report— is directly in line with the tobacco industry’s acceptable scale because these miniscule amounts would have no effect on youth smoking.
Panel wants to tax many services
Daily Journal 8/31/2008
The commission recommended cuts in some areas, such as in the income tax, and increases in other areas, such as in the cigarette tax. ...
EDITORIAL:Tax options
Daily Journal 8/28/2008
Arkansas and Tennessee in recent years have cut grocery tax rates. Mississippi is one of two states (the other is Alabama) offering no tax relief on ...
A Seat at the Table: Community Dialogues on the Impact of Tax Policy on Health Care in Mississippi
Posted Wednesday, October 08, 2008
MHAP has partnered with the Children’s Defense Fund and the Mississippi Economic Policy Center to conduct a series of interactive community discussions on health care in Mississippi.The dialogues will be held in Gulfport, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Meridian, and Tupelo.
Healthy Foods Initiative News
Obesity Rates Up in 37 States: Report
U.S. News & World Report
The obesity epidemic in America has gotten worse—not better—in the last year, despite public service campaigns warning about the health risks posed by carrying too much weight, a new report found. The five fattest states and their obesity rates are Mississippi (31.7 percent), West Virginia (30.6 percent), Alabama (30.1 percent), Louisiana (29.5 percent) and South Carolina (29.2 percent).
Panel wants to tax many services
Daily Journal 8/31/2008
The commission recommended cuts in some areas, such as in the income tax, and increases in other areas, such as in the cigarette tax. ...
EDITORIAL:Tax options
Daily Journal 8/28/2008
Arkansas and Tennessee in recent years have cut grocery tax rates. Mississippi is one of two states (the other is Alabama) offering no tax relief on ...
Soda tax would help battle obesity epidemic
Clarion Ledger, November 29, 2009
Crippling obesity combined with striking poverty and an obscene grocery tax - the nation’s highest - adds up to an impending economic and health disaster in this state. Mississippi spent $925 million on direct health care costs associated with obesity in 2008.
Clarksdale lawmaker seeks tax on sugary drinks to fight obesity
Commercial Appeal, January 11, 2010
“I’m fiscally conservative as a Republican, but when I look at how we spend $982 million a year on obesity and about $589 million of that is Medicare and Medicaid, it means people are paying $400 million a year out of their pockets,” Johnson said. “So you can imagine how much lower our insurance premiums would be if we could get this obesity under control.”
Medicaid/SCHIP News
Hospital group to address Medicaid cuts
The Associated Press • July 15, 2008
Group will voice its opposition to Barbour’s plan at public meeting
Barbour: Medicaid cuts could come next month
The Clarion Ledger, 7/10/08
Gov. Haley Barbour, on the losing side of a lawsuit over his ability to tax hospitals, said he will start the process of making cuts to Medicaid providers today.
Hood Drops Barbour’s Defense
Jackson Free Press 8/27/08
Haley Barbour’s request to defend his plan to tax the hospitals in Hinds County Chancery Court. by Adam Lynch Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says he ...
A Seat at the Table: Community Dialogues on the Impact of Tax Policy on Health Care in Mississippi
Posted Wednesday, October 08, 2008
MHAP has partnered with the Children’s Defense Fund and the Mississippi Economic Policy Center to conduct a series of interactive community discussions on health care in Mississippi.The dialogues will be held in Gulfport, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Meridian, and Tupelo.
Medicaid, school funding spared in state budget cuts
Clarion Ledger, November 12, 2008
Agencies that provide Mississippians with everything from public safety to help with mental health are considering whether budget cuts will affect services or, in some cases, the status of state employees.
The Nurse Family Partnership News
Group to study if Miss. needs nurse visit program
Clarion Ledger
A health advocacy group is studying whether Mississippi should start a program to provide nurse visits to the homes of all low-income, first-time parents and their children.
Uncompensated care is growing hospital burden
Clarion Ledger, November 23, 2008
The cost of uncompensated care likely will multiply in Mississippi this year and next as thousands have been laid off, especially by auto suppliers and furniture factories.
Nurse Family Partnership Program Request for Proposals
January 19, 2009
Under this request for proposals, the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program is inviting the participation of community-based organizations that currently work with underserved populations who directly and indirectly have a stake in the issue of healthy mothers and improved birth outcomes.
Mississippi targeting high infant mortality
Clarion Ledger, June 22, 2009
State Health Officer Dr. Ed Thompson said infant mortality exacts a huge cost on Mississippi, taking the lives of more than 800 babies each year.
NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT
Posted Wednesday, November 04, 2009
The Nurse Family Partnership Feasibility Assessment was funded by the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, through support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The results and interpretations of this report are the sole responsibility of the authors. Research was conducted at the Mississippi Health Policy Research Center, a unit of the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University.
Voices for Health Care News
EDITORIAL:Larger health issues”
Daily Journal
A continuing public conversation started by the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program about the full range of health care needs and options in our state reflects the growing concerns of many citizens about the quality, breadth, and affordability of insurance and treatment for people of all income levels and ages.
Hood Drops Barbour’s Defense
Jackson Free Press 8/27/08
Haley Barbour’s request to defend his plan to tax the hospitals in Hinds County Chancery Court. by Adam Lynch Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says he ...
Online effort seeks public input into health care
Associated Press, November 12, 2008
With concern about the cost and accessibility of health care growing across the country, health care advocates are conducting a national online effort this week and next to gather the public’s input.
Uncompensated care is growing hospital burden
Clarion Ledger, November 23, 2008
The cost of uncompensated care likely will multiply in Mississippi this year and next as thousands have been laid off, especially by auto suppliers and furniture factories.
[Agho] Cover The Uninsured
Jackson Free Press, March 26, 2009
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has designated this week “Cover the Uninsured Week” to bring attention and awareness to this increasing problem. It has been an annual event for the past seven years.