MS HB1216

Creates the South Mississippi Regional Health Care Authority as a political subdivision of the state, allowing community hospitals in Forrest County or Harrison County to convert into a regional health care authority through a public hearing and resolution process

Establishes a 9-member board of trustees appointed by the owner (county governing authority), with 5 members from the owner's county and 4 from counties south of Interstate 20, serving staggered terms of 1-5 years initially, then 5-year terms thereafter

Grants the authority broad powers to acquire hospitals, enter joint ventures, create subsidiaries, participate in accountable care organizations, and consolidate with other health care providers without requiring owner approval for real property purchases, borrowing, or budgets

Provides state action immunity from federal and state antitrust laws for consolidations and collaborative activities, limited to transactions where the authority maintains majority controlling interest and within a geographic area bounded by Interstates 20, 10, and 55 and the Alabama border

Designates the authority as a governmental entity entitled to sovereign immunity protections and authorizes participation in public employee retirement systems and the Mississippi Medicaid program as a nonstate governmental hospital