MS SB2599

Authorizes the State Department of Health to transfer and relocate 98 licensed nursing facility beds from Hotel Reed Nursing Center in Hancock County to three locations: 40 beds to Stone County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 54 beds to a Lamar County facility, and 4 beds to Woodland Village Nursing Center in Hancock County.

Requires the State Department of Health to issue certificates of need for the bed transfers within 10 working days of application submission, with certificates deemed issued by operation of law if not issued within that timeframe.

Authorizes a certificate of need for up to 36 additional skilled nursing facility beds in Lamar County (including 30 Alzheimer's beds) to be added to a previously issued 40-bed certificate of need, creating a 130-bed facility.

Waives the requirement for substantial compliance with the State Health Plan projection of need and waives the formal certificate of need hearing process for these bed transfers and new construction.

Allows full Medicaid participation for all beds transferred and constructed under this authority, with no restrictions on Medicaid program participation.