Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB23

Introduced

1/17/24

Refer

1/17/24

Failed

3/5/24

Caption

CON; authorize for nursing home in Jones County.

Impact

If enacted, HB23 would facilitate an increase in the number of nursing facility beds available in Jones County, which could alleviate some challenges related to the growing demand for long-term care options in the area. It acknowledges the necessity of expanding healthcare facilities to better serve public health needs. By allowing an expedited process for issuing certificates of need, the bill aims to alleviate some of the bureaucratic delays that typically accompany healthcare facility expansions, directly responding to community healthcare needs.

Summary

House Bill 23 aims to specifically amend Section 41-7-191 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to enable the State Department of Health to issue a certificate of need for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds in Jones County. This initiative permits an expansion that is not to exceed sixty beds and waives the standard requirement for substantial compliance with the current State Health Plan's projection of need. The bill is designed to address the local demand for nursing home care in Jones County, thereby potentially improving access to long-term care services for residents.

Contention

While proponents argue that this bill will help meet local needs for healthcare services, there may still be contention surrounding the potential implications of waiving standard requirements associated with certificates of need. Critics might express concerns over the adequacy of safeguards that typically ensure healthcare expansions align with broader state health planning objectives. Additionally, there could be debates regarding the financial implications of expanding nursing home capacities, particularly in relation to the state's overall healthcare budget and resource allocation.