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Bill > SB2477
MS SB2477
MS SB2477Rural Health Transformation Fund monies; require certain recipients of to be subject to competitive bidding process.
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Crossed Over
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Passed
03/26/2026
03/26/2026
Dead
Vetoed
04/02/2026
04/02/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Provide That In Structuring Grants, Applications Or Other Programs Funded By The Rural Health Transformation Program, Section 71401 Of Public Law No. 119-21, Priority Shall Be Given To Applicants, Awardees Or Subgrantees Located In Super Rural Zip Codes As Designated By The Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services (cms) And To Those Located In Certain Counties And Areas Outside Of A Metropolitan Statistical Area; To Provide That Priority Shall Also Be Given To Programs Funded By The Rural Health Transformation Program That Provide Direct Assistance To Mississippi Providers And Patients, Rather Than Vendors; To Provide That In Any Grant Program For Medical Equipment Acquisition Or Upgrades, Facilities Or Other Capital Expenditures For Facilities Or Equipment Funded By The Rural Health Transformation Program, Priority Shall Be Given To Awardees That Have Not Received A Direct State Or Federal Appropriation For Medical Equipment, Facilities Or Other Capital Expenditures In The Past Three Years; To Require A Competitive Bidding Process For Vendors, Subcontractors Or Other Entities Selected By The State To Assist In Establishing A State Health Information Exchange That Is Funded Through The Rural Health Transformation Program; To Specify The Minimum Requirements For Such State Health Information Exchange; To Provide That Preference In Selecting A Designated Vendor, Subcontractor Or Entity Shall Be Provided To Those Entities That Have Demonstrated Experience Providing Health Information Exchange Services Offering Real-time Bidirectional Admission, Discharge And Transfer Data To Mississippi Health Care Providers; To Require The Agency Overseeing The State Health Information Exchange To Promulgate Rules And Regulations Necessary For The Proper Administration Of The Exchange Including Allowable Participants, Permissible Uses Of Data, Security And Other Protocol, And A Process By Which Patients May Opt Out Of Participating; To Exempt Records Transmitted To Or From The Health Information Exchange From The Provisions Of The Mississippi Public Records Act; To Provide That Any Contract For A Program Funded By The Rural Health Transformation Program, Including Those Entered Into Or Managed By A Non-public Entity, Shall Be Governed By The Mississippi Public Records Act; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that certain recipients of funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program, a federal program aimed at improving rural healthcare, must undergo a competitive bidding process. The bill prioritizes grant applicants located in "Super Rural Zip Codes" (areas with very low population density as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS), counties with smaller municipalities, specific designated rural regions, and areas outside of major metropolitan zones. It also favors programs that directly assist Mississippi healthcare providers and patients over those that primarily benefit vendors. For grants related to acquiring medical equipment or upgrading facilities, priority will be given to entities that haven't received direct state or federal funding for such purposes in the last three years. Crucially, any vendor or subcontractor hired by the state to help establish a state health information exchange, which is a system for securely sharing patient health data electronically, must be selected through competitive bidding, with a preference for those experienced in providing real-time data exchange services to Mississippi providers. The agency overseeing this health information exchange will create rules for its operation, including who can participate, how data can be used, security measures, and how patients can opt out. While records exchanged through this system will be exempt from public disclosure, all other contracts funded by the Rural Health Transformation Program will be subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act, ensuring transparency in how these funds are used.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Vetoed (on 04/02/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2477.xml |
| Veto Message | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/pdf/veto/SB2477.pdf |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2400-2499/SB2477SG.htm |
| Amendment No 2 | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/ham/SB2477_H_Amend_02.htm |
| Committee Amendment No 1 | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/ham/SB2477_H_Cmte_Amend_01.htm |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2400-2499/SB2477PS.htm |
| Committee Amendment No 1 | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/sam/SB2477_S_Cmte_Amend_01.htm |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2400-2499/SB2477IN.htm |
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