State Health Dept.Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy was able to keep his job after a closed door meeting with the state Board of Health Wednesday, but the fight to remove him from office is apparently not over.

Board members have asked Amy to submit a plan of action within 60 days.

"Some really important issues are being brought up that we can do a better job with, and that's what we're going to do in the future," said Amy.

The board's action or inaction is not sitting well with some lawmakers. Senate Health Chairman Alan Nunnelee publicly called for Dr. Amy's termination.

"If the board doesn't act, I'm going to be forced to act," said Nunnelee.

Four days of recent testimony before the Senate Health Committee fueled concerns about restaurant inspections, unreported diseases, and mismanagement.

Board of Health members now want to see massive improvements by December, and could reconsider Amy's job at that point.

"We'll see what we get on the 13th and go from there," said Mary Kim Smith, Board of Health Chairman.

But the Senate Health Committee isn't through with its investigation. Nunnelee is considering another round of hearings looking into more concerns.

"We've got questions about tuberculosis treatment. The list just goes on and on," Nunnelee said.

The Board of Health did act on two recently publicized issues Wednesday. More diseases will be reported as West Nile Virus and restaurant inspections will be done under a new system.

"They're now going to give a numerical grade, and that's something Mississippians relate to," said Nunnelee.

Nunnelee said he's convinced the board's actions on those two issues are a direct result of the Senate investigation. He says it's proof it's working. State lawmakers could force changes in the Health Department this coming legislative session.

They must decide how and whether to reauthorize both the Department of Health and Board of Health.