Bill Text: MS HB644 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Public hospitals; prohibit asking person about ability to pay before providing needed treatment or services.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Failed) 2013-02-05 - Died In Committee [HB644 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HB644-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services; Judiciary A
By: Representative Broomfield
House Bill 644
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM ASKING A PERSON WHO IS SEEKING NEEDED TREATMENT OR SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL ABOUT THE PERSON'S ABILITY TO PAY FOR THE TREATMENT OR SERVICES BEFORE THE HOSPITAL ADMITS THE PERSON AS A PATIENT OR PROVIDES THE TREATMENT OR SERVICES TO THE PERSON; TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS SECTION BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST PUBLIC HOSPITALS THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the term "public hospital" means any hospital as defined under Section 41-9-3 that is owned, operated or supported by the State of Mississippi or any agency, department, institution or political subdivision of the state.
(2) A public hospital and any employee, representative or agent of the hospital is prohibited from asking a person who is seeking needed treatment or services at the hospital about the person's ability or means of paying for the treatment or services before the hospital admits the person as a patient or provides the treatment or services to the person. A public hospital shall first provide needed treatment or services to a person who presents himself or herself at the hospital seeking the treatment or services, and may discuss payment for the treatment or services with the patient only after the treatment or services have been provided.
(3) The State Department of Health shall monitor and enforce compliance with this section, and the department may assess a civil penalty against any public hospital that violates this section, in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each violation.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.
