MississippiHB 19082026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Health, Department of.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

22 provisions identified: 19 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

More loans for rural water systems

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state provides $176.8 million to loan funds for local and rural water systems for FY2027. It also adds $8.3 million from the General Fund to match expected federal funds from the clean water and infrastructure programs. The money supports loans and system upgrades for local governments and rural water providers. This helps rural communities fix and improve drinking water and wastewater projects.

Health Department budget for FY2027

The law funds the Mississippi State Department of Health for FY2027. It provides $61,633,807 from the General Fund and $529,451,161 from special funds for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Personal Services are capped at $151,990,832 ($13,953,860 General Fund and $138,036,972 Special Funds). Salaries and fringe total $144,391,290 with $7,599,542 for vacancy funding. The department may fill 678 permanent and 1,394 time‑limited positions.

More trauma, stroke, and EMS funding

For FY2027, the law sets aside $34,000,000 for the Trauma Care System and $13,023,197 from court assessments for Trauma Care Systems. It also provides $1,805,859 from court assessments for Emergency Medical Services. The Mississippi Health Care Alliance receives $279,400 plus $250,000 to strengthen STEMI, sepsis, and stroke care. The Health Department may transfer some trauma funds to Medicaid to build an enhanced fee program and draw federal match for trauma services. Funding starts July 1, 2026.

Help paying for Lorenzo’s Oil

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Health Department can spend up to $50,000 to provide Lorenzo’s Oil for Mississippi residents with ALD who are children or over age 21, when Medicaid does not pay. The department may also cover required pathology and twice‑yearly MRI exams for these patients.

Funds to continue Jackson water lawsuit

Beginning July 1, 2026, up to $3,770,690 from the Capital Expense Fund is reauthorized for FY2027 to continue the City of Jackson water litigation. Spending is limited to unspent balances as of June 30, 2026 and keeps the original purpose.

Community health and clinic grants

Starting July 1, 2026, the law funds community health work for FY2027: $12,761,942 to Health Department programs, $223,515 to specific programs, $2,000,000 to the Magnet Community Health Disparity Program, and $600,000 to the Qualified Health Center Grant Program. These funds support clinics and community projects statewide. They improve services but are not direct payments to households.

Grants to fight domestic violence

Starting July 1, 2026, $10,300,000 funds reimbursable grants run by the Office Against Interpersonal Violence for FY2027. The Health Department may use up to $300,000 for administration. Another $859,903 goes to the Domestic Violence program supported by court assessments. These funds support services for survivors and related programs.

More support for young children’s health

Starting July 1, 2026, the law gives $2,000,000 to the Early Intervention Program and $1,242,943 to the Maternal and Child Health Care Program for FY2027. It also moves $700,000 from the Department of Education to the Health Department for Early Intervention by December 31, 2026. The Health Department must report how those transfer funds were used. These dollars support services for young children and families across the state.

Opioid harm reduction in Delta counties

Starting July 1, 2026, the law directs $4,560,765 from the Opioid Settlement Fund for FY2027. $4,500,000 goes to the Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Program. $60,765 goes to the Delta Health Center to run a comprehensive harm‑reduction program in six Mississippi Delta counties.

Support for HIV and AIDS treatment

Beginning July 1, 2026, $700,000 pays for AIDS drugs and related medical services in FY2027. The Health Department may also raise related budgets and add positions funded by HIV special funds up to a $5,000,000 total, with State Fiscal Officer approval and a certified explanation to the Department of Finance and Administration. These steps increase resources for HIV and AIDS care.

Reimbursements for burn care costs

Beginning July 1, 2026, $3,000,000 goes to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund for FY2027. The fund can reimburse unpaid burn care through in‑state facilities, aeromedical transport to qualified out‑of‑state burn centers, and related travel, lodging, and meals for victims and caregivers. This helps when there are uncompensated costs.

Pay flexibility for nurses and specialists

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Health Department can set pay for nurses, epidemiologists, and disease intervention specialists based on each worker’s education and experience. Pay cannot go over the top salary set by the State Personnel Board. This gives the agency more room to offer pay within state limits to hire and keep staff.

Buying preference for blind‑made goods

Beginning July 1, 2026, when bids are equal on price, quality, and service, the Health Department prefers Mississippi Industries for the Blind. The same preference applies when buying without competitive bids. This guides agency purchasing choices.

Faster service for vital records

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Health Department must offer same‑day service to receive requests for birth and death certificates. This speeds how people can submit and get vital records processed.

Child care licensing funds transfer

Beginning July 1, 2026, $1,000,000 moves from the Department of Human Services’ child‑care funds to the Health Department for child care licensure. The transfer must occur by July 31, 2026. The Health Department must provide a full accounting of how it used the money.

Financial tools for Health Department

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Health Department can use a line of credit up to $10,000,000 to cover short‑term federal reimbursement gaps. The State Health Officer can move cash between health special funds with written notice to the budget and finance offices by the 15th of the prior month. The department can pay salaries from three named funds (5331400000, 5331500000, 5820130100) with State Fiscal Officer approval. It can add staff for Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund work with required approvals. The agency must keep detailed FY2026‑level records and report FY2027 performance results in its FY2028 budget request.

Medical cannabis program operations funding

Starting July 1, 2026, $7,787,845 from the General Fund pays the Health Department’s costs to run the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act for FY2027. This funds program operations, not direct payments to patients.

More cancer screening help for uninsured

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program receives $250,000 plus another $100,000 for FY2027. The money supports screenings and outreach, usually for people without insurance. These funds back program services rather than direct cash to patients.

Physician workforce funding and board rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, $1,382,250 funds the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce for FY2027. The State Board of Health chair may appoint a voting replacement or representative to that office’s advisory board. This supports physician workforce work and updates board governance.

New oath to get opioid funds

Beginning July 1, 2026, groups seeking Opioid Settlement Fund money under Section 37 must file a sworn, written certification. The statement must say they did not make pay deals that depend on passing laws or executive action, as state law forbids. The Health Department does not disburse money to groups that do not certify or that break this rule.

Caps on Health Department staffing

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law limits some Health Department pay and positions for FY2027. One appropriation gets $0 for Personal Services and authorizes 0 permanent and 0 time-limited positions. Another appropriation caps Personal Services at $2,670,477 (Special Funds) with 8 permanent and 14 time-limited positions. For the Medical Cannabis program, General Fund salary spending is capped at $2,410,715, with 0 permanent and 34 time-limited positions.

Trauma funds mostly stay in-state

Beginning July 1, 2026, Trauma Care System money cannot pay for care at hospitals outside Mississippi, with limited exceptions. Allowed out-of-state centers include Regional Medical Center or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile, and Joseph M. Still Burn Centers in Augusta, plus their affiliates. The Health Department may also approve other out-of-state Level 1 or pediatric trauma centers that join Mississippi’s trauma system.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Clay Deweese
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Richard Bennett
Republican • House
Sam Creekmore IV
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