10/13: Mississippi last on health scorecard

The Commonwealth Fund: Mississippi has worst health care

The Commonwealth Fund has issued its second State Scorecard on Health System Performance to compare states in terms of access, affordability and care.

None of the 11 Southern states we cover are in the top tier of the 2009 rankings.

However, five of the ten lowest ranking states are in the South: Mississippi (#51 of 51), Louisiana (#49) , Arkansas (#48), Kentucky (#45) , and Florida (#44). Of the six other states in the South, the rankings are as follows:

• North Carolina - #41
• Alabama - #40
• Tennessee - #39
• Georgia - #38
• South Carolina - #33
• Virginia - #22

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Candidate Artur Davis says next governor can save more than $500 million

ARKANSAS: Eight school districts removed from 'fiscally distressed' list

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist outlines his conservative credits in campaign for Senate

GEORGIA: State seeks more alternative energy projects

KENTUCKY: Mortality rate unusually high at VA hospital in Lexington

LOUISIANA: State's juvenile justice system still troubled, say activists

NORTH CAROLINA: U.S. Supreme Court to hear NC-SC water lawsuit today

SOUTH CAROLINA: State Ports Authority works to reduce air pollution

TENNESSEE: State tax collections down again in September

VIRGINIA: Democrat and former GOP governor want public-private approach to school renovation

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org