Some of the long term goals of this division include establishing a working relationship with all major hospitals in the greater Jackson region, developing a major public relations campaign to help support the greater Jackson area as a major healthcare destination, and developing workplace wellness tools and programs that can be used for all small businesses throughout the state of Mississippi. The Healthcare Initiatives division of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is also currently working on supporting physician recruitment, research development, and the expansion of new research centers for the greater Jackson area.

In recent years, Mississippi has implemented several healthcare initiatives aimed at improving access to care and reducing healthcare costs for its residents. Here are a few examples:

• In 2020, Mississippi Department of Health, announced a program to increase the number of COVID-19 vaccinations in the state. The program focuses on providing training and resources to healthcare providers to help them administer the vaccine, and on increasing public awareness about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
• In 2019, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed into law a bill that created a state-wide rural health clinic network. This network is intended to improve access to primary care for residents living in rural areas of the state, which tend to have fewer healthcare providers compared to urban areas.
• In 2018, Mississippi’s Medicaid program, MississippiCAN, implemented a new program to improve the coordination of care for individuals with complex medical needs. The program, called the Integrated Care Program, aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental illness.
• In 2017, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid announced a new program to address the opioid epidemic in the state. The program, called “Mississippi Cares,” aims to increase access to addiction treatment and support services for individuals with opioid use disorder.

These are a few examples of healthcare initiatives that have been implemented in Mississippi in the past 7 years. It’s important to note that healthcare initiatives can have a significant impact on the health of the population, but also it can take time to see the full effects.