Bill > HB1623

This bill, the Mississippi HBCU Maternal Health Workforce Pipeline Act, establishes a five-year program to address maternal and infant health disparities by increasing the number of healthcare professionals trained to provide maternal care, particularly in underserved areas. The program will be jointly managed by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), with MSDH focusing on public health and clinical integration and IHL overseeing academic and credentialing aspects. It creates a Maternal Health Scholars Program at participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi Valley State University – offering financial assistance for students pursuing careers in various maternal health roles, including doulas, nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, and mental health professionals. Participants who receive scholarships will be required to commit to working in a Mississippi maternal care setting, defined as any facility providing maternal health services, for a period of time after graduation, with priority given to those serving in designated "service commitment areas" experiencing workforce shortages. The bill also establishes a Maternal Health Pipeline Fund to support these initiatives and authorizes up to $10 million annually for five years to fund scholarships, paid training placements, and program administration, aiming to improve access to culturally responsive maternal care across the state.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1623.xml