Lawmakers in Mississippi are proposing changes to the state’s certificate of need law in order to make it easier for medical facilities to add in-demand health care services. This law currently requires facilities to seek state approval before offering new services, which can be time-consuming and costly. The proposed bill would eliminate state approval requirements for hospital dialysis programs, substance abuse treatment centers, and psychiatric care facilities. It would also raise the capital expenditure threshold by 50%.
Critics of the certificate of need law argue that it stifles competition and fails to decrease costs, while advocates believe it ensures communities have access to a range of health services. Removing these requirements could allow hospitals to open new services without seeking approval, ultimately benefiting patients by providing easier access to care.
The proposed changes have the support of the Mississippi Hospital Association, which is focusing on dialysis and capital expenditure limits as priorities. A separate bill is also being considered that would require unsuccessful applicants who appeal a certificate of need decision to pay the original applicants’ legal fees, in order to prevent delays in opening new health services.
Overall, these changes aim to improve access to needed health care services, particularly in rural areas, and lower costs for patients. The legislature will continue to discuss and refine these proposals in the coming months.
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Photo credit mississippitoday.org
