MississippiSB 24742026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Rare Disease Task Force; establish within the Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New state review of rare disease care

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law creates a seven-member Rare Disease Task Force within the state’s Rare Disease Advisory Council. Members advise state leaders on care gaps, treatment access, insurance coverage, and funding, including the effects of alternative funding such as drug-company or charity aid. The insurance department must work with the Council and Task Force to track coverage barriers. The Council may review written complaints about alternative funding and refer substantiated complaints to the department for investigation. The Task Force must send an annual report and recommendations to state leaders by December 1; members are unpaid but may receive expense money if funds are available. This process does not require insurers to cover a treatment or lower household costs.

More local hospital care in small communities

The law requires the State Health Officer to exempt qualifying small community hospitals from approval rules for geriatric psychiatric units. Those units must be on the main campus as of January 1, 2026, or within five miles, and do not count against a hospital’s other exemptions. Qualifying hospitals receive one or two exemptions for other services, depending on location; licensed Rural Emergency Hospitals are excluded. Kidney dialysis facility exemptions are limited to eight hospitals statewide and two in each of four Public Health Regions. Exemptions generally cover only the main campus and a five-mile radius, cannot cover off-campus sites or services under a general approval moratorium, and cannot place a hospital within 35 miles of another licensed hospital or threaten critical access status. Hospitals must apply by June 30, 2027, or lose eligibility.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Hob Bryan
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Theresa Gillespie-Isom
Democratic • Senate
Justin L. Pope
Democratic • Senate
Sarita Simmons
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 118 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

Passed