Bill
Bill > SB2570
summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Be Known As The Mississippi Rural Regional Health Authorities Act Of 2026; To Declare The Legislative Intent Regarding The Purpose Of Regional Health Authorities; To Create The Delta Regional Health Authority; To Provide For The Appointment Of The Governing Board Of Such Authority; To Provide For Participation Agreements Between The Regional Health Authority And The Owners Of Community Hospitals For The Hospitals To Participate In The Regional Health Authority; To Provide That Participating Community Hospitals Will No Longer Be Governed By The Community Hospital Laws But Will Be Governed By The Authority Board; To Provide That The Authority Board May Appoint A Chief Executive Officer Of The Authority; To Specify The Powers And Duties Of The Chief Executive Officer; To Provide That The Authority Board Shall Have All Of The Powers, Authority, Rights, Privileges And Immunities Conferred On The Owners And The Boards Of Trustees Of Community Hospitals; To Prescribe Additional Powers And Duties Of The Regional Health Authority; To Provide That The Authority Shall Be Deemed A "governmental Entity" And "political Subdivision" For The Purpose Of The Tort Claims Act; To Authorize The Authority To Participate In The Public Employees' Retirement System As A Political Subdivision; To Provide That The Regional Health Authority Shall Be Treated As A Nonstate Governmental Hospital And Shall Have All Rights, Privileges And Entitlements Of A Nonstate Governmental Hospital For Purposes Of The Mississippi Medicaid Program; To Direct The Division Of Medicaid To Create And Implement A Supplemental Payment Program To Support The Essential Services And Operations Of The Delta Regional Health Authority; To Provide That Any Consolidation Or Collaboration Involving A Regional Health Authority And Other Public, Private Or Nonprofit Hospitals, Health Care Facilities Or Providers Shall Be Immune From Liability Under The Federal And State Antitrust Or Competition Laws To The Fullest Extent Allowed By Law; To Amend Sections 11-46-1, 41-7-173, 41-13-11, 41-13-15, 41-13-19, 41-13-35, 41-13-47 And 41-13-101, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform To The Preceding Provisions; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Mississippi Rural Regional Health Authority Act of 2026, establishes the Delta Regional Health Authority to address healthcare needs in the Mississippi Delta region, an area with significant health disparities and a high percentage of uninsured and Medicaid patients. The Authority will be a public body, a political subdivision of the state, and will be governed by an Authority Board. Community hospitals can enter into participation agreements with the Authority, after which they will be governed by the Authority Board instead of existing community hospital laws, though their existing licenses and provider numbers will be maintained. The Authority Board will have broad powers, similar to those of community hospital owners and boards, including the ability to develop strategic plans, determine services, acquire facilities, borrow money, and enter into various contracts and collaborations. The bill also designates the Authority as a "governmental entity" and "political subdivision" for the purposes of the Tort Claims Act, allowing it to participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and mandates the Division of Medicaid to create a supplemental payment program to support the Authority. Importantly, any consolidation or collaboration involving a Regional Health Authority and other healthcare entities will be immune from antitrust liability to the fullest extent allowed by law, reflecting a legislative finding that the benefits of such arrangements outweigh potential impacts on competition. The bill also makes conforming amendments to various sections of Mississippi Code related to tort claims, certificate of need, community hospitals, and public records.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died On Calendar (on 02/12/2026)
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/SB2570.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2500-2599/SB2570CS.htm |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2500-2599/SB2570IN.htm |
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