Reports - Mississippi Renewal

THE GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION REPORT | 135should not include any expansion ofservices or capacity. Issues that maybe addressed by such a policy includethe expansion or creation of on-sitepower plants and the development ofmeans to ensure an adequate watersupply.The Mississippi TraumaCare SystemThere are many challenges facingMississippi’s trauma system, includinginadequate funding, insufficient physiciancoverage in certain specialties, theinherent disincentive for hospitals toupgrade trauma levels, and poor coordinationand allocation of resources.Accordingly, the Commission recommendsa thorough outside assessment ofthe trauma system, in cooperation withand funded by DOH. DOH is encouragedto work with hospitals, physicians,ambulance providers, and members ofthe Mississippi Trauma Advisory Boardto develop plans to improve the system.The assessment should determinecurrent strengths and weaknesses andidentify opportunities for improvement.Necessary changes and incentivesshould be priorities to ensure the necessarytrauma care infrastructure is inplace.Mental HealthThe delivery of mental health servicesto patients has been severely affected bythe damage to the infrastructure that iscritical to providing care. The Commissionrecognizes that a new infrastructuremust be developed with a goal of promotingand enhancing cooperation andcommunication among mental healthproviders throughout the state to ensurethe delivery of the appropriate level ofcare in the least restrictive environmentpossible. In doing so, the Commissionbelieves the state will see improvementin the daily quality of care of some of itsmost vulnerable patients.The Commission proposes an independentassessment of mental healthneeds by an outside consultant to providerecommendations to better alignthe delivery of services and develop theinfrastructure it requires. The assessment– which has been estimated to cost$130,000-$194,000 – should be organizedto consider such key questions as:■ What are the best strategies for resourceallocation throughout thestate?■ How are overlaps in services eliminatedand gaps identified?■ How will shifting labor markets andwage regulations affect the competitionfor workers?■ Considering federal restrictions, canstate agencies be given the autonomyto change wage rates, within theirbudgets, to remain competitive withthe private sector?■ How can the state’s commitment lawbe more uniformly applied across thestate and provide for patients’ timelyaccess to care?The Commission also recognizesthat access to mental health care mustbe on the same level as access to otherkinds of medical care and, therefore,supports state legislative action that ensuresmental health beneficiaries enjoyparity with all other medical beneficiaries.Several national studies by differentgroups have been published that supportan increased premium cost rangeof 1-1.5 percent, with the cost beingshared between employers and employees.The studies indicate, however, thatparity substantially increases workerproductivity and also offers many otherlong-term benefits. 5Thoroughpreparationfor futuredisasters, theutilizationof technology,and thecreation of ahealth careenvironmentconducive tothe recruitmentandretention ofhealth careproviders,the physical,social, andmental healthneeds of thecitizens ofMississippi willbe met.