Updated: 5:31 PM Top Mississippi lawmakers have agreed to write a state budget without using a hospital tax to help fund Medicaid.

Updated: 5:42 AM A Newton dialysis patient was recognized Tuesday for defying the odds.

Posted: 7:44 PM Rush Hospital gastroenterologist, Dr. Paul Varela, wants to raise awareness about the dangers of Barrett's esophagus by promoting camera pill screenings.

Updated: 8:49 PM As of Monday, no cases of the swine flu had been reported in Mississippi or Alabama. However, with dozens of deaths being blamed on the virus in Mexico, where it is thought to have originated, locals are taking precaution.

Updated: 5:29 PM Mississippi health officer Dr. Ed Thompson says there's been no confirmed case of swine flu in the state, but officials have requested additional dosages of a vaccine used to treat the illness. No cases have been detected so far in Mississippi or Alabama.

Updated: 3:29 PM A federal appeals court in Atlanta says Medicaid providers and state health officials should have a say along with physicians in determining how to treat patients.

Updated: 3:57 PM Traditional medicine has typically focused on what's known as the curative model, finding a solution to a medical problem or disease. Another type of care is the palliative model.

Updated: 8:13 PM Just how much higher will Mississippi's cigarette tax go is still on the agenda for the state's lawmakers. Several groups are pushing for it to be raised.

Updated: 8:15 PM Starting this summer, a Mississippi law will lower the age at which people can start giving blood.

Updated: 10:58 AM Federal health officials say the flu season is winding down, and it's turning out to be one of the mildest in years.

Posted: 9:59 AM Mississippi lawmakers are still debating whether to tax hospitals to help pay for Medicaid, the government health program for the needy.

Updated: 7:00 PM Mississippi's governor has signed a bill that would require anyone 17 or younger to get written permission from a parent or guardian before using an indoor tanning facility.

Updated: 6:56 PM Lauderdale County Relay For Life announced 2009 sponsors, honorary chairs, and media partners at a Tuesday news conference.

Posted: 2:05 PM Officials say norovirus infection had been reported among patrons at a Tennessee restaurant that served oysters harvested in Mississippi coastal waters.

Updated: 6:55 PM University of Mississippi Medical Center is expanding its AirCare Transport Service to east Mississippi.

Updated: 3:36 PM The third most common type of cancer is also the third leading cause of cancer deaths.

Updated: 2:03 PM Officials at Riley Hospital say the facility has taken extra steps to make sure patients are never given the wrong medication.

Updated: 11:15 PM The "Help Is Here" Bus, sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of America, made a stop in Meridian Wednesday.

Updated: 6:12 PM Diabetes affects 23.6 million people in the United States. Close to 6 million don't even know it. Many physical problems are related to the condition.

Posted: 1:15 PM Gov. Haley Barbour announced Monday his appointments to the Mississippi Board of Nursing.

Updated: 7:11 PM The Mississippi Department of Health has kicked off a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of immunizations.

Updated: 7:06 PM The new CEO of Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center Casey said it's a challenging time for health care providers, as well as other industry.

Posted: 3:04 PM February is National Heart Month. In keeping with that theme, Healthwatch takes a look at the number one killer in the U.S.

Posted: 6:01 PM The Mississippi House of Representatives decide this week to consider an option to the 'abstinence only' program taught in public schools.

Posted: 7:41 PM For too many people, a good night's sleep seems like only a dream. That's because 70 million Americans are affected by some kind of sleep disorder.