Senate Bill 2691

AN ACT TO CREATE THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL BOARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF OVERSEEING THE FINANCES AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF THE HOSPITAL; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENTS OF THE BOARD; TO SET THE VOTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOARD; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVING A MULTI-YEAR BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE HOSPITAL'S OPERATION ALONG WITH THE GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL OPERATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD SHALL NOT HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE TEACHING, RESEARCH ENDEAVORS OR PERSONNEL OF THE MEDICAL CENTER; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE HOSPITAL TO THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND CHAIRMEN OF SPECIFIC COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE BY OCTOBER 1 OF EVERY YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created the University of Mississippi Medical Center Hospital Board for the purpose of overseeing the finances and business operations of the hospital. (2) The board shall be composed of the following five (5) members:

(a) Two (2) members to be appointed by the Governor;

(b) Two (2) members to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and

(c) One (1) current member of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning selected by the Commissioner of Higher Education.

(3) Members of the board appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be Mississippi residents with at least five (5) years experience in the business, financial or healthcare industry sectors, and be of the highest order of intelligence, character, learning and fitness for the performance of such duties.

(4) Members of the board shall receive per diem authorized by Section 25-3-69, plus actual and necessary expenses and mileage as authorized by Section 25-3-41, for each day actually spent in attending the meetings of the board. The expenses of the board shall be paid out of any funds available for the operation of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

(5) Appointments to the board shall be made within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of this act. At the first meeting, the board shall elect from among its membership a chairman, a vice chairman and any other officers determined to be necessary, and shall adopt rules for transacting business and keeping records.

(6) The board shall meet at least quarterly. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum. In the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, and in the election of a chairman, vice chairman and any other officers determined to be necessary, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be required.

(7) The board shall be responsible for:

(a) Approving a multi-year business plan for the hospital's operations, including any expansion of the hospital's physical plant, providers, or healthcare services, in consideration with the hospital's mission to provide charity hospitalization of indigent persons and qualified beneficiaries of the State Medicaid Program; and

(b) Overseeing the physical plant of the hospital;

(d) Overseeing patient quality and safety in acute care services; and

(e) Hiring and firing of the hospital administrator, subject to the final approval of the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(8) The board shall not have the authority over the University of Mississippi Medical Center's academic, teaching or research endeavors, including personnel, buildings and other tangible and intangible resources connected therewith, or any other authority delegated to the Board of Trustees for the State Institutions of Higher Learning as described in Section 37-101-15, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(9) The Vice-Chancellor of Health Affairs shall provide the staff and other support necessary for the board to perform its duties. The hospital administrator shall continue to report to the Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs.

(10) The board shall provide a comprehensive report on the hospital's business plan and finances to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the House and Senate Universities and Colleges Committees, Chair of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, and Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee by October 1 of each year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.