Mississippi House Bill HB1110

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Freestanding emergency room; revise definition to include rural emergency hospital and specify other criteria.

Impact

If enacted, HB1110 will likely result in the establishment of more emergency medical facilities in rural communities that currently lack adequate emergency services. This could enhance healthcare accessibility for residents in these regions, providing critical health services to populations that have historically struggled with emergency medical care availability. By allowing rural hospitals to operate freestanding emergency rooms, the bill aims to bolster the healthcare infrastructure in areas with notable service gaps.

Summary

House Bill 1110 amends the Mississippi Code to redefine the parameters surrounding freestanding emergency rooms. It introduces the concept of 'rural emergency hospitals', aiming to improve access to emergency medical care in underserved rural areas. The bill sets forth specific criteria for these facilities, mandating that they be located at least 15 miles from the nearest hospital-based emergency room, particularly in counties identified as medically underserved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMMS). Additionally, the owners or operators of these facilities must have affiliations with existing rural hospitals.

Contention

Discussion around the bill may include concerns regarding the viability and financial sustainability of these new facilities. Critics could argue that simply establishing more emergency rooms does not guarantee quality or accessible healthcare, especially if they are not adequately funded or staffed. Furthermore, there could be apprehension about how these changes might affect existing healthcare systems and their ability to maintain comprehensive service offerings in rural areas.