Policy Points

A BLOG FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE DATA, HEALTHCARE, AND POLICY AS WE DO


  • Establishment of presumptive eligibility for pregnant women (PEPW) in Mississippi

    Tuesday, December 5th, 2023

    Written by Prachi Prajapati Executive summary The recent expansion of postpartum care coverage in Mississippi is the first step towards improvement of maternal and infant health outcomes. The focus should now move to provision of appropriate and necessary prenatal care … Continue reading


  • Medicaid Unwinding

    The Medicaid Unwinding: Expectations and Estimations

    Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

    Written by Sarah Scarborough The pandemic tested Medicaid and health departments across the nation. Health systems were overwhelmed with a large influx of patients and demand for healthcare coverage. Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)[1] in response … Continue reading


  • Drug Overdose Deaths in Mississippi

    Up 52.3% from April 2020 to April 2021
    Friday, November 19th, 2021

    Written by Larry L. Smith, Ph. D. The National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Vital Statistics Rapid Release of Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts at the US and State level. Based … Continue reading


  • Mississippi Healthcare Providers Need Continuing Education If State Passes a Medical Marijuana Program (MMP)

    Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

    Written by the Center for Mississippi Health Policy staff with contributions from University of Mississippi Medical Center students participating in a Fellowship with the Center to study health policy.  FIG. 1 Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure Rule 2.1 “Every Mississippi … Continue reading


  • Postpartum Coverage

    Comprehensive Maternal Health Coverage

    Monday, February 22nd, 2021

    By Eden Blackwell Women need quality healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy for the best outcomes for moms and their babies.  Through Medicaid, pregnant women with household incomes of up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) can gain … Continue reading


  • The Medicaid Family Planning Waiver:

    One tool in the box to support maternal and child health in Mississippi
    Wednesday, January 15th, 2020

    By Eden Blackwell Since the early 2000’s the United States experienced a rise in the number of preventable pregnancy-related deaths as well as maternal and infant illness despite broader access to healthcare through insurance, managed care, and health educators. Mississippi … Continue reading


  • How the Medical Loss Ratio Impacts Mississippi

    Tuesday, September 24th, 2019

    by Zach Smith The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) provision, an often-forgotten part of the Affordable Care Act behind more well-known provisions, such as individuals being allowed access to insurance with a pre-existing condition or individuals being allowed to stay on … Continue reading


  • The Importance of Comprehensive Contraceptive Counseling

    Monday, August 12th, 2019

    by Eden Blackwell It has been nearly 60 years since birth control pills became available to women in the United States.  Since that time many forms of birth control have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Over … Continue reading


  • Rural Hospitals

    Freestanding Emergency Departments and Micro-Hospitals:

    Two Models That May Help Mississippi Communities Affected by Rural Hospital Closures
    Monday, July 8th, 2019

    by Zach Smith In a recent report by Navigant Consulting, 48% of Mississippi’s rural hospitals were rated as a high financial risk.  The reasons for rural hospital closures in Mississippi, as nationwide, vary as do the possible solutions.  Reasons for … Continue reading


  • Contraceptive

    A Quick Look at Contraceptive Access in Mississippi

    Friday, May 17th, 2019

    By Eden Blackwell Women in Mississippi give birth to around 38,000 babies per year on average (though the number is declining in step with birth rates around the region and nation).  As explained earlier in the Center’s Unintended Pregnancy in … Continue reading


  • Mississippi Highlighted in the Plan to Eradicate HIV/AIDs

    Tuesday, April 16th, 2019

    By Zach Smith In the Trump administration’s most recent fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget approximately $291 million dollars has been allocated to defeat the HIV/AIDs epidemic in America.  With the advancements in HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) … Continue reading


  • Welcome to Policy Points

    Thursday, February 21st, 2019

    By Zach Smith and Eden Blackwell Data, always key in the Center’s work, have been the cornerstone of successful public health interventions since John Snow saved the lives of hundreds in London’s 1854 cholera outbreak through the data-informed removal of … Continue reading