Comprehensive State Health Plan

Background, Authority, and Purpose A. Background MSDH is responsible for protecting and improving the health of Mississippians through statewide public health planning, health system oversight, and coordination of health-related resources. Mississippi faces persistent and emerging health challenges, including significant health disparities, access limitations in rural and underserved areas, workforce shortages, and increasing pressures on healthcare facilities and public health infrastructure. At the same time, Mississippi is experiencing an evolving healthcare and public health landscape shaped by federal policy changes, payment and delivery system reforms, demographic shifts, and the growing need for coordinated, data-driven investment strategies. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, forward-looking planning approach that integrates population health, public health infrastructure, healthcare delivery systems, and resource allocation across the state. To respond to these needs, MSDH seeks to develop the MCSHP, a statewide, third-party–informed and data-driven planning document that will describe the overall health of Mississippians; assess the current and projected capacity of public health and healthcare systems; identify priority needs and gaps; and establish strategic directions to guide policy, planning, and investment decisions. B. Authority MSDH is authorized under Title 41 of the Mississippi Code and related statutes and regulations to conduct statewide health planning, assess healthcare resources and system capacity, and support the development of policies and strategies that promote the health and welfare of Mississippi residents. This authority includes responsibility for: Statewide public health planning and assessment; Evaluation of healthcare facilities, services, and resources; Coordination with state and federal partners on health system planning and funding initiatives; and Development of data-informed strategies to improve access, quality, equity, and system sustainability. The Plan is intended to serve as a foundational planning document that may inform future policy development, regulatory activities, funding priorities, and programmatic initiatives, including—but not limited to—healthcare facility planning, rural health initiatives, workforce development, and alignment with federal health programs administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $205,990,180.16, with 99.96% funded by CMS/HHS ($205,907,220.16) and 0.04% funded by non-government sources ($82,960). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. C. Purpose The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from qualified, independent vendors to develop the Mississippi Comprehensive State Health Plan, guided by the vision: Aligning Systems and Connecting Communities for a Healthier Mississippi . The selected vendor will conduct a comprehensive, third-party assessment to validate and enhance statewide health planning efforts and to ensure that current and future investments are strategically targeted to address critical gaps in access, capacity, and outcomes. The Plan will encompass public health, healthcare facilities and resources, workforce capacity, rural health systems, and population health outcomes, and will articulate the State's health priorities over a defined planning horizon. A central component of the Plan will be alignment with CMS program objectives, including an assessment of Mississippi's rural healthcare system to identify access gaps, workforce needs, and system vulnerabilities. The Plan will provide actionable guidance to inform targeted investments in a manner that supports system integration, sustainability, and equity. The resulting Plan will serve as a strategic framework to: Describe the current and projected health status of Mississippians; Assess the structure, capacity, and future needs of public health and healthcare systems statewide; Identify priority health challenges and opportunities, particularly in rural and underserved areas; Support data-driven decision-making and resource alignment; and Guide coordinated action among state agencies, healthcare providers, community partners, and federal stakeholders.