Health

Federal judge blocks Gov. Phil Bryant’s executive order in insurance dispute

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — A federal judge Monday blocked Gov. Phil Bryant from compelling Mississippi’s largest health insurer to resume paying its in-network rate to a chain of 10 hospitals.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate read a temporary restraining order from the bench saying Bryant didn’t provide enough proof to justify an executive order he issued last week… […]

Health

Mississippi sees drop in number of SIDS deaths

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — Mississippi state health officials say the number of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome deaths in the state has declined by more than half from 2011 to 2012.

In 2012, the state reported 21 SIDS deaths, a rate of 0.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 43 deaths in 2011, a rate of 1.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births… […]

Health

4 new West Nile virus cases reported, including 1 in Harrison County

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi State Department of Health says four newly confirmed cases of West Nile virus bring the state total to 39 this year. The new cases, reported Monday, include one each in Forrest, Harrison, Hinds, and Madison counties.

Hinds County has had the most reported cases this year at 11, followed by five in Forrest and four… […]

Health

Mississippi chapter of Alzheimer’s Association surpasses goals

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Editor

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Its symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Memory loss is the most severe and recognizable symptom… […]

Health

Mississippi lawmakers hear about BlueCross-HMA dispute

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — Mississippi lawmakers say they hope the state’s second-largest hospital company and largest health insurer will resolve a financial dispute before patients lose care or facilities close.

Health Management Associates, a Florida-based company that owns 10 Mississippi hospitals, sued Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi in June, saying that the insurance company broke contract terms by underpaying for procedures. Blue Cross says HMA overcharges… […]

Education

Hayes Cooper Center wins Walk It Out: Mayor’s Cup Challenge

The Mississippi Link Newswire
The Walk It Out Cleveland program, part of the Healthy Campus/Community Initiative (HCCI), sponsored the inaugural “Walk It Out: Mayor’s Cup Challenge” between the Cleveland School District elementary schools at the Delta State Fitness Trail on Sept. 7.

As the warm Mississippi sun rose, 53 elementary students and 63 friends, family, and faculty/staff showed up bright-eyed and eager to walk and jog laps around the half-mile fitness trail… […]

Health

Groups race to hire, train ’Obamacare’ guides

In Mississippi, workers will go into rural areas without Internet access to help people with the enrollment and policy-shopping process, which is done online
CARLA K. JOHNSON, The Associated Press

(AP) CHICAGO – With the program known as “Obamacare” only weeks away from its key launch date, hectic preparations are in motion in communities across the country to deal with one of its major practical challenges: hiring and training a small army of instant experts who can explain the intricacies of health insurance to people who’ve never had it… […]

Health

Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Saturday

The Mississippi Link Newswire

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a united movement to reclaim the future for millions. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Saturday September 14th at The Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS. Nearly 1,000 people from the Jackson Metro Area are expected at this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants will participate in a 3 mile walk/run… […]

Business

Commissioner Mike Chaney to set up Mississippi small business health insurance exchange

JACKSON, Mississippi – (AP) — Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney plans to move ahead with a health insurance exchange for small businesses after federal officials approved regulations to allow the move.

The Department of Health and Human Services had proposed a rule that would have barred states that didn’t run an individual marketplace from setting up a separate exchange for businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

Last week, federal officials adopted a rule advocated by Chaney that allows Mississippi to set up what’s called a Small Business Health Options, or SHOP exchange. Chaney said he’s scheduled to meet Sept. 18 with federal officials…. […]

Family Medicine

Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation receives $9k donation

The Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation in Ruleville, recently received a generous donation of $9,000 from the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler.

Freddie White-Johnson, founder and president of the Foundation, accepted the check from Shirley Walker, case management and supervisor of the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility. White-Johnson also serves as program director of the Mississippi Network for Cancer Control and Prevention (MNCCP) at The University of Southern Mississippi. […]