A new law takes effect immediately that will make it easier for health facilities to make costly improvements and limit where the University of Mississippi Medical Center can open new locations without state approval after Gov. Tate Reeves signed the legislation into law Wednesday.
Lawmakers passed nearly identical changes to the state’s certificate of need law last session, but this year, they removed a provision that led Republican Gov. Tate Reeves to veto the legislation in April.
Certificate of need law requires providers to receive state approval before opening new services or paying for expensive upgrades by proving that people need the services in their area. The regulations are meant to lower costs and enhance the quality and accessibility of health care by preventing duplication of services, but stakeholders are divided on whether the law accomplishes its goals…