The Mississippi Department of Health is responsible for establishing and enforcing regulations that enhance the public’s health. In Mississippi, today’s public health challenge lies in maintaining the advances made in communicable disease control and infant mortality reduction while developing strategies to address contemporary killers such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and AIDS.

The Division of Aging and Adult Services is responsible for planning, coordinating, advocating for and ensuring the provision of services to older Mississippians, including those who receive Medicare.

The mission of the Mississippi Insurance Department is to enforce the laws and regulations to create an environment conducive to a competitive marketplace for the sale of insurance products and services while providing Mississippians with the maximum amount of consumer protection.

The center has 15 sites in several counties with the aim of providing health care to low-income families and adults.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIP, formerly the Information, Counseling and Assistance (ICA) grants program, was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare.

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and over in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provides a range options that allow older adults to choose the home and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best.

Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They resolve complaints and educate seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. They also provide information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA).

Before becoming the chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Daniel W. Jones served as vice chancellor for health affairs, dean of the School of Medicine and professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Earlier in his career, he was president of the American Heart Association (AHA) and chaired the AHA strategic planning task force and international committee. He earned his medical degree from and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Claude W. Harbarger has served as president of St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital since 1991 and became president of St. Dominic Health Services Inc. as well in January 2012. He began his career as assistant executive director at Humana Hospital Augusta and later advanced to the position of associate executive director. He also worked for National Medical Enterprises as the administrator of Seven Rivers Community Hospital in Crystal River, Fla. He received his master’s degree in hospital and health administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Before becoming president and CEO of Fairview Health Services, Mark A. Eustis was president of regional ministry operations for Ascension Health in St. Louis, Mo. He also served as a senior executive officer with BJC HealthCare. Health care organizations he is involved with include the American Hospital Association, American College of Health Care Executives and the Minnesota Hospital Association. He earned his master’s degree in hospital and health care administration from the University of Minnesota.

This House committee considers legislation concerning the health of Mississippi residents.

This Senate committee considers legislation concerning the regulation of insurance in Mississippi.

This Senate committee considers legislation concerning the health of Mississippi residents.

This House committee considers legislation concerning the regulation of insurance in Mississippi.