Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB27

Introduced

1/17/24

Refer

1/17/24

Failed

3/5/24

Caption

CON; provide for exception to home health agency moratorium for certain hospice licensees.

Impact

If enacted, HB 27 will modify existing regulations that control the establishment of new health care facilities and services by allowing specific exceptions to the current moratorium. The proposed exception is significant as it enables new home health agencies associated with hospice care to commence operations without the lengthy approval process typically required by the certificate of need law. This could lead to enhanced access to essential health services and potentially improve patient outcomes for those needing hospice care.

Summary

House Bill 27 aims to amend Section 41-7-191 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to provide an exception to the moratorium on the issuance of certificates of need for home health agencies. Specifically, the bill authorizes the state Department of Health to issue up to five certificates of need to recipients of five new hospice licenses. This legislative action is intended to facilitate the expansion of hospice services within the state, which is increasingly crucial as the demand for palliative care continues to grow amidst an aging population.

Contention

The bill proposes an essential shift in state policy regarding the management of health care facilities, particularly in hospice care. Notably, there may be concerns from various stakeholders about the implications of easing regulations that govern health facility expansions. Critics could argue that such exceptions might undermine quality control or lead to an oversaturation of services in certain regions, which may necessitate careful monitoring to ensure that the quality of care remains high and that community needs are adequately addressed.