MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative McGee
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A STUDY COMMITTEE OR WORK GROUP FOR THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING DATA ABOUT PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDERS CURRENTLY PRACTICING IN MISSISSIPPI, EXAMINING THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEED FOR PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE, AND PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE 2021 LEGISLATURE ON HOW TO ENCOURAGE MORE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO BECOME PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDERS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The State Department of Health shall establish a study committee or work group for the purpose of gathering data about palliative care providers currently practicing in Mississippi, examining the current and future need for palliative care providers in the state, and providing recommendations to the 2021 Legislature on how to encourage more health care providers to become palliative care providers in order to increase the number of palliative care providers in the state. The committee or group shall seek information and input from the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce, the State Medical Association, the Mississippi Hospital Association and any other public or private entities that may have pertinent information about providing palliative care in the state. Not later than December 1, 2020, the department shall present a report with recommendations from the committee or group to the Chairs of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, House Appropriations Committee, Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.