MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Scoper

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CREATING A JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUT-PATIENT CLINICS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF MISSISSIPPI FORMERLY SERVED BY STATE CHARITY HOSPITALS OR COMMUNITY-OWNED HOSPITALS WHICH HAVE CLOSED; TO DIRECT THE JOINT COMMITTEE TO MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2000; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, on July 1, 1989, the South Mississippi State Hospital at Laurel, Kuhn Memorial State Hospital at Vicksburg and the Matty Hersee Hospital at Meridian were closed by act of the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's health care population is unique in that 20% of our population is on Medicaid, with another 20% uninsured; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is also unique in the structure and resource of our health care system, we have only one teaching hospital, and the state has fewer primary care physicians for its population than any other state; and

WHEREAS, persons who are uninsured or underinsured tend to delay seeking health care until their health problem becomes so severe that they must obtain treatment usually in a hospital emergency room, and this delay in seeking care and the use of the emergency room both cause treatment costs to be much higher than if the medical care could be provided early and in a more appropriate outpatient setting; and

WHEREAS, these excessive costs are passed on through cost shifting to others who pay their medical bills, and this cost shifting results in higher insurance premiums and deductibles for the State of Mississippi and the private sector; and

WHEREAS, for these reasons it is important for Mississippians to develop proposals for the development of a rural outpatient clinic access system in Mississippi, keeping in mind our unique needs:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That a special joint study and oversight committee is created to Study and make Recommendations Concerning the Establishment of Out-Patient Clinics in Underserved Rural Areas of the State and to recommend a funding source for such clinics. The joint committee shall be composed of the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Chairman of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, one (1) member of the public and one (1) member who is a health care provider to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, one (1) member of the public and one (1) member who is a health care provider to be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one (1) member of the public and one (1) member who is a health care provider to be appointed by the Governor.

Within fifteen (15) days after sine die adjournment of the 2000 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker and the Governor shall appoint the members of the committee. After the members are appointed, the joint committee shall meet on a date designated by the Governor in Jackson, Mississippi, to select a chairman, organize the committee and establish rules for transacting its business and keeping records. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required in the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports. All members of the joint committee shall be notified in writing of all regular and special meetings of the committee, which notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the dates of the meetings.

The joint committee may establish any subcommittees that it deems desirable to study and report to the committee with respect to any matter that is within the scope of this resolution.

The joint committee shall make a written report of its findings and recommendations, and shall mail copies of the report to each member of the Legislature not later than December 1, 2000. In carrying out the provisions of this resolution, the joint committee may utilize the services, facilities and personnel of all departments, agencies, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges. In particular, the joint committee shall consult with the Division of Medicaid, and the Division of Medicaid shall cooperate with the committee and provide the committee with any information and other assistance requested by the committee. The joint committee may consult and seek advice from various groups in the state in order to understand the effect of any existing laws or any changes in law being considered by the committee.

For attending meetings of the joint committee, each member shall be paid per diem compensation in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69 and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47. Legislative members shall be paid from the contingent expense fund of the member's respective house, and nonlegislative members shall be paid from funds made available by appropriation of the Legislature for the purpose of this resolution. However, no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the joint committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member's respective house.