Legislative Initiatives

The Mississippi Public Health Association (MPHA) supports key health policies important to improving health of all Mississippians, a top goal for MPHA's 650 members statewide. Improved health increases the quality and length of life for all Mississippians. Healthier communities also enhance economic development efforts statewide. In 2012, MPHA is targeting three high priority policy areas.

1. Fund the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) at the budget levels requested by the agency for fiscal year 2013.

  • MSDH provides core infrastructure for the public health system in Mississippi.
  • Funding levels requested is minimal and below the amount of general funds provided to the agency in prior year's budget requests.
  • Significant cuts to MSDH essential funding translates into reduced capacity for all 81 county health offices statewide.
  • Reduced MSDH capacity means declines in basic services that ensure clean water, restaurant food safety, and disease outbreak control, threatening basic public health protections Mississippians take for granted.
  • Mississippi's state funding for public health is one of the lowest in the nation, although the state has some of the highest levels of health needs.
  • Adequate state funding for this essential public health system will provide the basic resources necessary to keep Mississippians healthy and productive.

2. Enact a comprehensive smoke-free air law so all Mississippians can breathe smoke-free air.

  • Research indicates Mississippi communities with smoke-free air policies exhibit increases in tourism and economic development tax revenues, while showing declines in heart attack hospital admissions.
  • Mississippi ranks number one in deaths from heart disease nationwide.
  • Mississippi is one of seven states without any type of statewide smoke-free policy.
  • A smoke-free air law will ensure our state is a healthier place to live and work.
  • Secondhand Smoke: Impact on Health and Economy
    Issue Brief from the Center for Mississippi Health Policy

3. Restrict texting while driving for all drivers in Mississippi.

  • Automobile injuries are the primary cause of injury-related deaths, a leading cause of death for Mississippians under 45 years of age.
  • Mississippi ranks first nationwide in motor vehicle injury death rates.
  • Research shows distracted driving is a common event for 3 out of 4 Mississippi adults.
  • Mississippi currently bans distracted driving for persons with a learner's permit, intermediate license, and school bus drivers only.
  • Mississippi is one of fifteen states without comprehensive distracted driving legislation.
  • A law restricting texting for all drivers will enable residents live to their full potential.