AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-7-173 AND 41-7-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY SERVICES AND FACILITIES, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AND PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HEALTH CARE CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-193, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL DISAPPROVE ANY APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NEED THAT FAILS TO CONFIRM THAT THE APPLICANT WILL PROVIDE A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF INDIGENT CARE, OR IF THE APPLICANT'S ADMISSION POLICIES DENY OR DISCOURAGE ACCESS TO CARE BY INDIGENT PATIENTS, OR IF SUCH APPROVAL WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ABILITY OF AN EXISTING FACILITY OR SERVICE TO PROVIDE INDIGENT CARE; TO PROVIDE THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF INDIGENT CARE IS AN AMOUNT THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THE AMOUNT OF SUCH CARE OFFERED BY OTHER PROVIDERS OF THE REQUESTED SERVICE WITHIN THE SAME, OR PROXIMATE, GEOGRAPHIC AREA; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-77-1, 41-77-5, 41-77-21, 41-77-23 AND 41-77-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAW IN THE LICENSURE LAWS FOR BIRTHING CENTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 41-7-173, 41-7-191, 41-77-1, 41-77-5, 41-77-21, 41-77-23, 41-77-25
Committee Substitute: 41-7-173, 41-7-191, 41-77-1, 41-77-5, 41-77-21, 41-77-23, 41-77-25
As Passed by the House: 41-7-173, 41-7-191, 41-7-193, 41-77-1, 41-77-5, 41-77-21, 41-77-23, 41-77-25