MS HB826

Changes appeals of State Department of Health certificate of need orders to proceed directly to the Mississippi Supreme Court rather than through lower courts, with appeals filed within 20 days of the final order.

Requires appellants to post a bond sufficient to secure the appellee against loss of costs, fees, expenses, and attorney's fees, approved by the Supreme Court within 5 days of filing the appeal.

Directs the Supreme Court to award costs, fees, reasonable expenses, and attorney's fees to the appellee if the department's order is affirmed.

Adds a new expedited review category for certificate of need requests involving expenditures exceeding the capital expenditure minimum for projects that are not for a single diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, preventive, or palliative procedure service.

Effective date: July 1, 2011.