MS HB903

Amends Mississippi Code sections 41-105-1 and 41-105-3 to require the Healthcare Coordinating Council to develop and report to the Legislature by the 2012 Regular Session on health goals for Mississippi.

Council appointments must be completed before July 1, 2011, consisting of 15 members including legislators, state agency representatives, a registered nurse, nutritionist, health care provider, health advocates, and health care consumers appointed by the Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor.

Council must consider feasibility of implementing preventive health care strategies including maternal and child health goals (reduce infant mortality and low-birth weight by 10% by 2020), increasing health insurance coverage by 25% by 2020, and establishing health education programs.

Council must also address chronic disease goals including reducing diabetes by 5% by 2020, lowering obesity rate to below 20% by 2015, developing cardiovascular disease practices, and increasing high school graduation rate to 75% by 2015.

Each recommended plan element must establish performance benchmarks, projected costs, and projected benefits; council shall make annual reports to the Legislature by September 1 after the initial 2012 report.