MS SB2117

Establishes the Mississippi Qualified Health Center Incubator Grant Program within the State Department of Health to provide competitive grants to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics for establishing new or expanding existing facilities.

Eligible applicants must be Rural Health Clinics or 501c3 nonprofits/public entities that serve medically underserved areas, accept all patients regardless of ability to pay using sliding-fee schedules, and have community boards of directors.

Grants may be used for planning and training, development activities including health needs assessments, equipment and facility renovations (excluding new construction), and transitional operating support for hiring administrative and clinical staff.

Allocates $3,200,000 per state fiscal year with individual grants capped at 25% of annual awards; establishes objective review committee for competitive scoring and creates special fund in State Treasury for grant disbursements.

Department must develop regulations, audit processes, and may use up to 1.5% or $48,000 annually (whichever is greater) for program administration; all recipients must certify non-discrimination policies and provide yearly reports on fund usage.