House Bill 94

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR RURAL HEALTH INNOVATION WITHIN THE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE CENTER IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO RURAL HOSPITALS, CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS, RURAL HEALTH CLINICS AND RURAL FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, INCLUDING EXPERT ANALYSIS, GUIDANCE, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND TELEHEALTH INVESTMENT; TO SPECIFY THE MINIMUM AREAS OF SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CENTER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES AS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CENTER, AND SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSE OF THE CENTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi Center for Rural Health Innovation is established within the Office of Rural Health of the State Department of Health. The purpose of the center is to provide services and resources to rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural health clinics and rural federally qualified health centers, including expert analysis, guidance, training opportunities and telehealth investment. For the purposes of this section, the term "rural hospital" means a licensed Mississippi hospital that has fifty (50) or fewer licensed general acute, nonspecialty beds.

(2) The specific areas of service to be provided by the center shall be, at a minimum:

(a) Expert consultation, including, but not limited to, detailed financial evaluation, service line assessment, contract review and transitional planning;

(b) Telehealth innovation, including, but not limited to, telehealth expert consultation and telehealth development grants;

(c) Business development training grants, including, but not limited to, billing specialist training grants and administrative development grants;

(d) Peer support network services; and

(e) Any other related services as determined by the State Board of Health.

(3) The department shall provide personnel and resources as necessary to provide for the operation of the center, and shall be authorized to enter into contracts as necessary to carry out the purpose of the center.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.