MS HB1782

Appropriates $30,207,000 from the Budget Contingency Fund to the Mississippi Development Authority for PPE and COVID-19 testing for ambulatory surgical centers, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, dentists, physicians, nurse practitioners, optometrists, and other healthcare providers, plus grants to community foundations and food pantries ($4 million each) and child care facilities ($3 million).

Appropriates $91,900,000 to the State Department of Health for Federally Qualified Health Centers ($1.5 million), rural hospitals ($1 million), North Oak Regional Medical Center in Tate County ($2 million), the MAGnet Community Health Disparity Program ($6 million), and hospital reimbursements for COVID-19 expenses ($80 million).

Appropriates $1,400,000 to the State Department of Mental Health to be distributed equally among 14 community mental health regions for eligible mental health services, PPE, telemedicine, and payroll expenses related to the COVID-19 emergency.

Appropriates $6,218,000 to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program ($1.8 million) and physician residency program expansion at five hospitals ($4.418 million).

Requires agencies to certify compliance with federal Treasury Department guidelines for Coronavirus Relief Fund expenditures and mandates that recipients repay the state if federal audit determines improper use of funds.