MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Dickson, Cockerham, Ellis, Fredericks, Holloway, Myers, Perkins
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON HEALTH; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO REPORT TO THE 2008 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Mississippi Commission on Health to establish measurable health goals for the State of Mississippi. The commission shall make recommendations on all aspects of health with an emphasis on prevention, health promotion and reducing disparities among such groups as low-income families, racial minorities and the elderly. At a minimum, the commission shall study, make recommendations and report to the 2008 Regular Session of the Legislature on the following:
(a) Health care distresses;
(b) Soaring health care costs;
(c) The condition and viability of the state's health care system;
(d) Uninsured patients accessibility to quality health care and lack thereof;
(e) The state's ability to match federal Medicaid funding;
(f) Balancing the state's health care needs with the resources available;
(g) Prevention;
(h) Health care promotion; and
(i) Reducing disparities among low-income families, racial minorities and the uninsured population.
The commission shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2007, including any recommended legislation.
(2) The commission shall be composed of the following twenty-four (24) members:
(a) The Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the House Public Health and Human Services Committees;
(b) The Vice Chairmen of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the House Public Health and Human Services Committee;
(c) One (1) senator, who is a member of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(d) The Chairman of the House Medicaid Committee; and
(e) Eighteen (18) members to be appointed by the Governor, which shall consist of persons selected from the following categories:
(i) One (1) member representing a large self-insured employer;
(ii) One (1) member representing an employer insured with a privately purchased group health insurance policy;
(iii) One (1) member who is a mental health care provider;
(iv) One (1) member who is a health care provider who is not licensed to practice medicine and surgery or a licensed dentist;
(v) One (1) member who is licensed to practice medicine and surgery;
(vi) One (1) member who is a licensed dentist;
(vii) One (1) member who is a licensed chiropractor;
(viii) One (1) member who is a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse;
(ix) One (1) member who is a licensed physical therapist or occupational therapist;
(x) One (1) member representing the State Department of Health;
(xi) One (1) member representing small business;
(xii) One (1) member representing a county health department;
(xiii) One (1) member representing organized labor;
(xiv) One (1) member who is a consumer of health care;
(xv) One (1) member representing the AARP;
(xvi) one (1) member representing a major insurance company;
(xvii) One (1) member representing public health academia; and
(xviii) One (1) member representing K-12 education.
(3) Appointments to the commission shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The joint committee shall hold its first meeting before August 1, 2007. The Chairmen of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the House Public Health and Human Services Committee shall serve as cochairmen of the commission.
(4) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. In the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, and the notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(5) Members of the commission shall receive per diem compensation, expense reimbursement and mileage for attending commission meetings, as provided in Sections 25-3-41 and 25-3-69.
(6) The commission may accept funds from any source, public or private, to be expended in implementing its duties under this section.
(7) To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of the cochairmen of the commission, provide such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the commission to properly carry out its duties.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.