MississippiHB 16222026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Small Community Hospital Pilot Program; establish.

Sponsored By: Samuel Creekmore IV (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesState AffairsPublic Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

More care for medically dependent children

The law authorizes a nonprofit skilled nursing facility with up to 60 beds in a county with an academic medical center and a children’s hospital. Under state rules, ventilator-dependent or otherwise medically dependent patients can stay after age 21. The law waives usual need reviews and hearings for this project and does not restrict Medicaid participation.

More care options at small hospitals

Qualifying small community hospitals can receive one certificate-of-need exemption, or two in the Delta Public Health Region. The exemptions cover the main campus as of January 1, 2026, and locations within five miles; hospitals must apply by June 30, 2027. The law also allows up to eight of these hospitals to get dialysis licenses, with no more than two in each of four regions. If more than two hospitals apply in a region, those farthest from existing dialysis units get priority. Qualifying hospitals can also get a license for a geriatric psychiatric unit, which does not use an exemption.

More approval options for child treatment facilities

The state health department can approve new construction, additions, bed conversions, or expansions at psychiatric residential treatment facilities. The provision does not state a bed limit or further conditions for these approvals.

More beds for dementia and nursing care

The law authorizes nursing beds for people with Alzheimer’s disease, up to 20 beds per certificate. Across the covered certificates, the limits are 60 beds per district overall and 120 beds statewide or 40 per district in any fiscal year. Each district’s beds must cover its northern, central, and southern areas. The authorization began July 1, 1999, for the next two fiscal years. The law also allows up to 19 beds at a nonprofit Green House nursing facility in Yazoo City and requires staffing, space, and other standards for Alzheimer’s beds.

More residential beds for disabled adults

Beginning July 1, 2026, the same Madison County nonprofit can get approval for 20 more beds in its community living program for adults with developmental disabilities. The beds must be in the facility identified by the law.

Past nursing bed awards favored counties

From fiscal years 2000 through 2003, the state had to issue six certificates each year for nursing facility beds. Each certificate could allow up to 60 beds, and eligible counties had to show a need for at least 50 beds in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan. The allocation included one certificate for the highest-need county in each of four districts and two for the highest-need counties statewide. A county could not receive another certificate under this program during the four-year period. County-owned hospitals in Yalobusha, Newton, or Tallahatchie Counties received priority when they met the rules and were at least as qualified as other applicants. These allocation years are over.

Fewer approval steps in two counties

Covered activities in Issaquena and Humphreys Counties do not need a certificate of need, though some listed requirements still apply. The exemption cannot be used to open a licensed hospital within 35 miles of another licensed hospital or to put another hospital’s federal critical access status at risk.

Harder appeals of hospital approvals

A person or group challenging a small hospital license decision can ask the State Health Officer to reconsider within seven calendar days. Any informal hearing must occur 14 to 21 days after the original decision, and there is no right to discovery. The license decision cannot be challenged in court. Beginning July 1, 2026, a party that appeals an approved certificate-of-need application must pay the applicant’s reasonable appeal fees if the approval stands. This also applies to an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

More nursing beds, with Medicaid limits

The law authorizes specific nursing facility projects in Panola, Madison, Leake, Tishomingo, Hancock, and Harrison Counties. These projects include up to 72 converted beds in Panola County, up to 60 beds per certificate in Madison and Leake Counties, and a facility of up to 60 beds in Belmont. The law also authorizes moving 49 beds from a Katrina-damaged Hancock County facility to Harrison County, with up to 20 non-Medicaid beds at each facility. Some facilities cannot take Medicaid patients at all; the Katrina-related project caps Medicaid-certified beds and monthly claims at 50 in Hancock County and 49 in Harrison County. The agreements bind later owners, and violations can lead to license loss after a hearing. Original certificate and construction deadlines tied to 1998 and 2001 are historical; contested projects had a construction deadline six months after final adjudication.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Samuel Creekmore IV
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Kabir Karriem
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 410 • No: 1

House vote • 3/11/2026

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 119 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 2/9/2026