MPHA supports key health policies that support improved health outcomes for all Mississippians. After all, healthy communities enhance economic development efforts and ensure a productive workforce statewide.
MPHA’s 2026 Legislative and Policy Agenda is currently open for member comments through December 19, 2026:
INVESTING IN A STRONG PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Support for the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Budget
MPHA supports stable and increased funding for MSDH to ensure statewide disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and workforce development. A well-funded public health infrastructure is essential for protecting Mississippi families.
2. Monitoring for Changes to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
MPHA supports a strong and sustainable retirement system for public health employees. We will monitor proposed changes to PERS to ensure they protect the workforce and maintain Mississippi’s ability to recruit and retain qualified professionals.
3. Public Health Workforce Development
MPHA supports strategies to recruit, retain, and train the next generation of public health professionals, including loan repayment programs, competitive salaries, and pipeline initiatives to build a resilient workforce.
ADVANCING HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE
4. Increase Access to Health Care in Mississippi
- MPHA supports initiatives that:
- Sustain and strengthen rural hospitals and healthcare providers
- Expand Medicaid to cover working families
- Improve maternal and child health outcomes
- Maintain and expand telehealth policies to reach rural areas
5. Mental Health Parity and Crisis Response
MPHA supports full enforcement of mental health parity laws, as well as investments in crisis intervention, substance use disorder treatment, autism services across the lifespan, youth mental health, and suicide prevention. Behavioral health must be treated with the same priority as physical health.
6. Healthy Life Cycle Strategies
MPHA supports initiatives that:
- Expand access to healthy food
- Improve access to health care
- Enable seniors to remain safely in their homes and communities
- Promote tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation
7. Support Strong Immunization Policy
MPHA supports policies that strengthen and maintain vaccine access, strengthen school and community immunization programs, and combat misinformation. Protecting communities from preventable diseases remains a core public health priority.
MODERNIZING PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS
8. Support for Mississippi Community Health Workers (CHWs)
MPHA supports the funding and integration of CHWs into health care teams. CHWs strengthen care coordination, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs, especially in underserved communities.
9. Data, Technology, AI, and Biomarker Innovation in Public Health
MPHA supports policies that expand secure data sharing, enhance disease surveillance, and responsibly apply artificial intelligence and biomarker testing to improve early detection, treatment, and prevention. Biomarker testing enables precision public health by identifying disease risks earlier, reducing disparities in diagnosis and treatment, and guiding more effective use of limited resources.
10. Climate and Health Resilience
MPHA supports recognition of climate impacts on health — including extreme heat and severe weather — and policies that strengthen community resilience and protect vulnerable populations.
If you have feedback regarding the 2026 MPHA Policy and Legislative Agenda, please email your suggestions to MPHA Executive Director, Lydia West, at execdir@mspha.org.