House Bill 41

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-27-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED PODIATRISTS TO PERFORM SURGICAL AND/OR MEDICAL TREATMENT OF THE ANKLE AND GOVERNING STRUCTURES AND TISSUE WHEN THE PODIATRIST HAS MET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT A LICENSED PODIATRIST MAY PERFORM ANKLE SURGERY ONLY IN AN ACCREDITED HOSPITAL IN WHICH THE PODIATRIST HAS RECEIVED SURGICAL PRIVILEGES TO PERFORM ANKLE SURGERY; TO PROVIDE THAT SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE ANKLE IS LIMITED TO PROCEDURES LISTED BY THE COUNCIL OF PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION AS BEING REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION AND CERTIFICATION IN REARFOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 73-27-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-27-1. (1) The practice of podiatric medicine is that profession concerned with the prevention, examination, diagnosis and medical, surgical and adjuvant treatment of conditions of the human foot. For the purposes of this chapter, "foot" means that part of the human anatomy which consists of the tarsal bones, metatarsal bones and phalanges.

(2) A podiatrist is a medical care provider who engages in the practice of podiatric medicine.

(3) A licensed podiatrist may prescribe and administer drugs and tests, excluding general and spinal anesthesia, that are essential to the practice of podiatric medicine when used for or in connection with treatment of disorders of the human foot.

(4) A licensed podiatrist may also perform surgical and/or medical treatment of the ankle and governing structures and tissue when the podiatrist:

(a) Has completed a minimum three (3) year post graduate residency accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME); and

(b) Is qualified or certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) to perform "Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery" (RRA).

(5) A licensed podiatrist may perform ankle surgery only in an accredited hospital in which the podiatrist has received surgical privileges, by the medical staff of that facility, to perform ankle surgery and other delineation of privileges. For the purpose of this subsection, an accredited hospital is one that is actively licensed in Mississippi by the State Department of Health as an acute care hospital with surgical services available.

(6) Surgical treatment of the ankle is limited to procedures listed by the Council of Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) in CPME 320, and their successors, as being required for graduation and certification in rearfoot and ankle surgery.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.