MS SB2071

Adds "Freestanding Emergency Center" to the definition of health care facilities requiring a Certificate of Need (CON), defining it as a licensed facility physically separate from a hospital providing emergency medical care 24/7 with capability to diagnose and stabilize cardiac arrest, stroke, respiratory problems, and trauma.

Directs the State Department of Health to issue a CON for construction of a Freestanding Emergency Center in Lumberton, Lamar County, Mississippi, waiving the substantial compliance projection requirement and formal CON hearing process.

Requires a license from the State Department of Health to operate a Freestanding Emergency Center in Mississippi.

Establishes that Freestanding Emergency Centers must provide medical screening, examination, and stabilization to all persons regardless of ability to pay, and transfer patients requiring hospital admission or specialist care to higher-acuity facilities.

Effective date is July 1, 2014.