Mississippi House Bill HB895

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

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

Caption

Nursing homes; require to purchase and maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance.

Impact

By requiring nursing homes to carry liability insurance, the legislation is poised to enhance consumer protection significantly. This requirement is expected to ensure that residents have recourse in situations where negligence leads to harm. Furthermore, nursing homes will need to demonstrate compliance with this insurance requirement to the Mississippi Department of Health, which may lead to more rigorous oversight and regulatory measures within the sector. The revised regulations should contribute positively to the operational standards of nursing facilities in the state.

Summary

House Bill 895 mandates that all nursing homes in Mississippi must obtain and maintain a liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of one million dollars per occurrence. This insurance is intended to protect residents from negligence-related incidents that may occur within these facilities. The bill defines nursing homes broadly, including personal care homes, assisted living facilities, and other establishments that provide services to the elderly or infirm, thereby aiming to bolster overall resident safety and accountability within these organizations.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB 895 might include concerns over the financial implications for nursing homes, particularly smaller facilities that may struggle to afford the insurance premiums or may pass on costs to residents. Advocates for the bill may argue that the long-term benefits of improved protection for residents outweigh these concerns, while opponents might highlight potential financial burdens placed on nursing home operators and the risk of limiting access to care if facilities choose to close rather than comply with the new insurance requirements.