MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare
By: Senator(s) Hickman
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO APPOINT A MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY LISTED AS RESEARCH 1 (R1) IN THE CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF AMPUTATIONS RESULTING FROM DIABETES AND RELATED COMPLICATIONS; TO SET FORTH TOPICS FOR EVALUATION BY THE STUDY; TO ESTABLISH THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE AND PROVIDE THAT THE STUDY COMMITTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE R1 UNIVERSITY; TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE LEGISLATURE NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The State Department of Health shall appoint a Mississippi university listed as Research 1 (R1) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to conduct a study on the prevention and reduction of amputations resulting from diabetes and related complications.
(2) The study shall evaluate:
(a) The prevalence of diabetes-related amputations in this state;
(b) The cost to the state of treatment and care associated with those amputations;
(c) Evidence-based best practices for the prevention of diabetes-related amputations, including early detection and screening programs;
(d) Strategies to expand access to limb-saving services, including multidisciplinary care teams, wound care, podiatry and patient education; and
(e) Opportunities for public-private partnerships to reduce the rate of amputations.
SECTION 2. (1) The study committee shall be governed by the R1 university and shall consist of:
(a) The director of the Mississippi Department of Health or his or her designee;
(b) A physician licensed in this state who specializes in endocrinology;
(c) A nurse licensed in this state with expertise in diabetes education;
(d) A vascular surgeon with expertise in amputation prevention;
(e) A physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse with expertise in amputation prevention;
(f) A podiatrist with expertise in treating diabetic foot ulcers;
(g) A podiatrist or vascular surgeon affiliated with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
(h) A representative of a public health provider;
(i) At least one (1) individual diagnosed with diabetes or who has experienced diabetes-related amputation;
(j) A representative of the American Diabetes Association; and
(k) Other individuals as named by the R1 university.
(2) Not later than December 1, 2026, the study committee shall submit a report on the results of the study and recommendations to the House of Representatives Public Health and Human Services and the Senate Public Health and Welfare Chairs and Committee Members.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.