Three bills support the Mississippi Hospital Sustainability Grant Program and efforts to train and retain health care workers.

Currently, at least 24 bills in nine states focus on transgender patients, and four states in 2023 have legalized restrictions on gender-affirming care.

A coalition of 22 states argues that the vaccine mandate has intensified workforce shortages at health care facilities and limited patient access to care.

At least 20 states are pursuing legislation to limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, while some states have proposed legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

States facing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases are making efforts to support their increasingly burdened health care workforce. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested teams to support civilian health care workers treating COVID-19 patients in local state hospitals.

As hospitals respond to the rising delta variant and struggle with capacity, some states are calling on hospitals to once again postpone elective surgeries. Executive orders in other states expand flexibility to address health care workforce shortages amid COVID-19 surges.

Colorado is requiring medical-grade face coverings for unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated employees in settings that serve vulnerable or at-risk populations, and Mississippi is recommending those 65 and older avoid mass gatherings, regardless of vaccination status.

Colorado's new policy requires certain providers to report the acquisition cost of drugs purchased through the 340B Drug Pricing Program; Mississippi mandates that certain providers identify 340B-purchased drugs on medical and retail pharmacy claims.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Center for Telehealth remotely connects complex patients in rural areas with providers to help manage chronic conditions. The center comprises a statewide network of partnerships and initial support came from a hybrid of private and public funding.