If the Mississippi Senate passes the bill that recently cleared the House of Representatives by a 107-5 landslide, residents can soon expect much better healthcare access. HB 922 reverses numerous certificate of need (CON) restrictions, which have stifled competition and limited medical options in the state since 1972.
Mississippi CON laws allow existing medical businesses to hinder competitors from operating. This competitor’s veto leads to fewer facilities, higher prices, longer lines, and poorer outcomes. Although 35 states have similar legislation, Mississippi has some of the most extensive, with 80 individual activities and facilities requiring a certificate. It also has unique healthcare challenges that render these obstructions especially damaging there. HB 922 does not eliminate the entire Mississippi CON program, but it removes many limitations and empowers both practitioners and patients.
Some New Exemptions
Mental health is one of the biggest winners in this bill. Numerous psychological and behavior treatments formerly requiring a certificate no longer do.
Mississippi suffers from higher-than-average depression, anxiety, and suicide rates, and residents need freedom from impediments to help. People struggling with mental health difficulties can expect better outpatient and residential care access with this new law.
Chemical dependency treatment, and the centers providing it, are exempt under the measure. Although the state has fewer than average overdose deaths per capita, its numbers are rising with the rest of the country’s, and it has seen a particularly steep uptick. Roadblocks in the way of care have prevented sufferers from receiving assistance in the early stages, when crises can be averted with intervention.
Dialysis and end-stage renal care are also exempted. This is especially noteworthy in Mississippi, as local demographics render kidney disease common. Rural counties typically struggle to operate dialysis centers, and this is one of the most rural states in the nation. Removing obstacles gives these sparsely populated communities a better chance to have centers nearby. The region furthermore suffers frequent hurricane damage, which sometimes disrupts dialysis availability. Having care sources in more locations mitigates this risk.
Birthing centers also obtained an exemption, which is of special importance in a state with inadequate maternity options. Particularly in an area where trust in traditional birthing options is low, this will encourage mothers to seek the care they need.
Other Progress
Even where activities still require a certificate, HB 922 relaxes the protocol. It increases the expenditure amounts requiring a CON, so medical institutions can more freely adapt to growth. Despite a declining overall population, Mississippi’s percentage of elderly residents is increasing, which puts a strain on hospitals and alters their facility demands. Flexibility allows the system to change as the population does.
The bill also limits the time a petitioning organization has to wait for a decision on a certificate. The process, including initial application and appeals, can stretch into years, but this bill requires the Supreme Court to render an appeals decision within 120 days. Instead of languishing in legal limbo, applicants can now swiftly begin the process again if desired.
Although this measure does not eliminate CON, it makes great strides, and supporters hope to expand its reach over time. The popular passage of the bill gives reason for optimism, indicating an increasing general willingness to overhaul the existing legislation.