Bill > SB2567

This bill, known as the Mississippi Pediatric Access to Critical Health Care Protection Act, aims to ensure Mississippi children have access to quality pediatric inpatient hospital care by requiring the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to make payments to a specific type of out-of-state hospital, referred to as a "border city university-affiliated pediatric teaching hospital," if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, approves an increase in funding for a Medicaid provider payment initiative. This initiative, authorized under federal regulations (42 CFR § 438.6(c) or other Medicaid rules), would provide funds to the out-of-state hospital. The bill defines a "border city university-affiliated pediatric teaching hospital" as an out-of-state hospital in a city bordering the Mississippi River and Mississippi, which is affiliated with an accredited university, licensed as a pediatric hospital in its home state, offers at least five different pediatric specialty training programs, and has at least 100 beds dedicated to patients under 21 years old. The Legislature's intent is that the cost of services provided by these out-of-state hospitals to Mississippi Medicaid beneficiaries under 21 should not exceed the cost of similar services provided by in-state hospitals, and that these payments should not negatively impact the reimbursement rates for Mississippi's own hospitals. This act will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Social Services

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2567.xml