House Bill 928

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOSPITALS FOR EXPANSIONS OF THE HOSPITAL FACILITIES THAT INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR MORE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE TREATMENT AND CARE FOR THE GREATER NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE COVID-19; TO PROVIDE THAT GRANTS UNDER THE PROGRAM MAY BE USED BY HOSPITALS FOR HOSPITAL EXPANSIONS THAT ARE MADE ON OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT OR AS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED BY HOSPITALS FOR EXPANSIONS THAT WERE MADE BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The State Department of Health shall establish a grant program for hospitals for expansions of the hospital facilities that increase the capacity of the hospital because of the need for more capacity to provide treatment and care for the greater number of patients who have COVID-19. Grants provided under the program may be used by hospitals for hospital expansions that are made on or after the effective date of this act or as reimbursement for the expenses incurred by hospitals for expansions that were made before the effective date of this act.

(2) Under the grant program, the department shall receive applications from hospitals that describe in detail how the funds will be used by the hospitals, how receipt of the funds will improve the ability of the hospitals to provide treatment and care for patients who have COVID-19, and any other information as required by the department. An application for grants under the program shall be submitted at such time, be in such form, and contain such information as the board prescribes.

(3) The department shall adopt such rules and regulations as necessary for the administration of the grant program. The department shall operate and administer the grant program from funds appropriated by the Legislature from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund for that purpose.

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