MississippiHB 19082026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Health, Department of.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Flexible pay for health staff

The Health Department can set pay for covered nurse positions, epidemiologists, and disease intervention staff based on education and experience. Pay cannot exceed the top salary set by the State Personnel Board. The law does not guarantee a pay increase or set its amount.

Jackson water lawsuit gets funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law makes up to $3,770,690 available to the Health Department for City of Jackson water litigation in fiscal year 2027. Spending cannot exceed the unspent balance on June 30, 2026, and the money must keep its original authorized purpose. The funds pay for litigation-related expenses, not direct payments to residents.

More grants for violence services

The law allocates $859,903 from court assessments to the Domestic Violence program. It also provides $10.3 million for reimbursable grants through the Office Against Interpersonal Violence, with up to $300,000 available for administration. Grant costs must be allowed by that office. The law does not set individual payment amounts or eligibility rules.

Funding for emergency care systems

The law provides $34 million for trauma care, including $13,023,197 from court assessments, and $1,805,859 for emergency medical services. It also provides $1,124,400 for heart attack, sepsis, and stroke care systems. Health officials may transfer trauma funds to Medicaid for a fee program that helps match federal funds. Funds generally cannot go to out-of-state hospitals, with exceptions for specified participating trauma centers and other qualifying centers.

More funding for community health

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $2 million for the Magnet Community Health Disparity Program and $2 million for early intervention. Another $700,000 from the Department of Education supports early intervention and must transfer to the Health Department by December 31, 2026. The law also provides $100,000 for breast and cervical cancer services, $1,242,943 for maternal and child health, and $1 million for public health programs. These funds support services, including cancer screenings for people without insurance; they do not set individual payment amounts or eligibility rules.

More funding for HIV services

The Health Department can increase budgets and positions by up to $5 million from available special funds for HIV medical and support services, clinical quality work, and related administration. The increase needs State Fiscal Officer approval. The department must send Finance and Administration a certified statement explaining and justifying it.

More opioid prevention and treatment

The law allocates $4.5 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund to the state’s opioid and substance use disorder program. It also provides $60,765 to Delta Health Center for harm reduction services in six Mississippi Delta counties. The funding supports programs, but does not set individual payments or eligibility rules.

More support for tobacco care

For fiscal year 2027, the law funds several tobacco-related programs. They include $4.25 million for the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute, $3.06 million for public school nurses, and $595,000 for the university’s tobacco center. Qualified health centers receive $4 million, and the Attorney General’s tobacco and alcohol enforcement unit receives $680,000. The law does not set individual payments or eligibility for these funds.

More support for doctor workforce

The law provides $1,382,250 from fiscal year 2027 appropriations for the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce. The funding supports the office’s workforce activities. It does not provide direct household payments or set individual eligibility.

New certification rule for health grants

Beginning July 1, 2026, recipients of Health Department funds under Section 37 must provide a sworn written statement about covered compensation contracts. A recipient that does not certify, or is found to have violated the certification, cannot receive or use the funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Clay Deweese
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Richard Bennett
Republican • House
Samuel Creekmore IV
Republican • House
Becky Currie
Republican • House
Missy McGee
Republican • House
Carl L. Mickens
Democratic • House
John Read
Republican • House
Omeria Scott
Democratic • House
Jerry R. Turner
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 343 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026