MS HB911

Exempts consolidations and mergers of hospitals in rural counties (as designated by the Office of Rural Health) from state and federal antitrust laws when they improve access to hospital services

Establishes that rural hospital mergers and consolidations can apply for a Certificate of Public Advantage through the Department of Health, with approval based on benefits such as quality enhancement, cost efficiency, resource sharing, or reduced duplication

Exempts hospitals that receive a Certificate of Public Advantage for consolidation or merger from community hospital sale/lease procedural requirements, including public hearings, publication requirements, and voter petition processes

Provides that community hospitals merging with non-community hospitals under a Certificate of Public Advantage will no longer be classified as community hospitals after the merger, except for bond-related provisions

Allows any hospital in a rural county to execute cooperative agreements with other hospitals or health systems upon board of trustees approval, effective July 1, 2013