Maddy summarySB 2479, the "Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act," requires dental insurance companies (referred to as "dental carriers") to calculate and report annually how much of their premium revenue is spent directly on patient care versus administrative costs. Dental carriers must file detailed reports by June 30 each year, including data matching federal standards, and make these reports publicly accessible online by December 1. The law applies to all dental health plans sold in Mississippi, excluding Medicaid and state-sponsored programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program. This transparency measure aims to clarify where premium dollars go, allowing consumers and regulators to review carrier spending patterns.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2538 modifies Mississippi's health care Certificate of Need (CON) law by requiring parties who request a hearing on a CON application and lose the hearing to pay all related attorney, consultant, and other fees within 90 days of the hearing officer's decision. The bill also mandates that the party initiating a hearing must provide upfront security (e.g., a deposit) to cover potential costs, with the State Department of Health determining the security amount. This directly affects health care providers, opponents of new facilities, or other "affected persons" who request hearings but do not prevail. The law eliminates judicial review of hearing outcomes, making the State Department of Health's decisions final.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Mississippi public schools to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum for grades 6-8 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It also mandates that all high school students pass either a half-credit personal finance course or a full-credit course where at least half focuses on financial literacy to graduate, beginning with the 2032 graduating class. The law directly affects all Mississippi public schools (including charter schools) and students in grades 6-12. It amends existing education law to formalize these requirements, focusing on practical financial skills like budgeting and credit management.
Maddy summarySB 2292 requires all Mississippi public and charter schools to teach civics courses starting in 8th grade and before 12th grade, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates instruction on U.S. and Mississippi constitutions, government structures (including federalism and separation of powers), historical context, critical thinking skills, and civil discourse. The State Department of Education will develop and update curriculum standards to align with current civics scholarship, renaming existing U.S. Government courses to "United States Government and Civics." This policy directly affects all K-12 students and school staff in Mississippi's public and charter schools.
Maddy summarySB 2694 requires all health insurance plans renewing or starting after July 1, 2026, to cover biomarker testing for disease diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring when supported by medical evidence. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by mandating coverage for genetic or molecular tests (like genomic sequencing) that align with FDA approvals, CMS guidelines, or nationally recognized clinical practice standards. Insurers must provide written justification for denied claims and update coverage policies publicly by September 1, 2026, with the Department of Insurance authorized to audit compliance. The law aims to reduce barriers to evidence-based testing without specifying new costs or outcomes.
Maddy summarySB 2735 updates Mississippi's Medicaid program with several key changes affecting beneficiaries and providers. It extends eligibility for foster care children until age 26, adds eligibility for men of reproductive age under family planning, and explicitly bans Medicaid coverage for gender transition procedures. The bill establishes new reimbursement rates (100% for pediatricians, 85% for ambulatory surgical centers), allows rural hospitals to opt out of certain payment systems, and creates new payment rules for nursing facilities. These changes directly impact Medicaid recipients, healthcare providers, hospitals, and behavioral health centers across Mississippi.
Maddy summarySB 2749 establishes the Mississippi Long-Term Care Ombudsman Act, creating a statewide program within the Mississippi Department of Human Services to address concerns about residents in long-term care facilities. The program, led by a State Ombudsman, will investigate complaints about health, safety, or rights violations, conduct facility visits, and require corrective actions from facilities - without interfering with existing regulations. It mandates a toll-free complaint line, email system, and confidentiality protections for residents and their representatives, while requiring facilities to provide access to records for the program. This replaces Mississippi’s previous ombudsman law and directly affects nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and their residents by providing an independent, statewide system to resolve issues.
Maddy summaryThe Mississippi Patient Protection Act of 2026 requires health insurers to accept any qualified healthcare provider who meets their terms for participation, without discrimination based on location within the insurer's coverage area. It bans insurers from using financial penalties or incentives that would limit a patient's choice among participating providers. The Commissioner of Insurance will enforce these rules and may adopt regulations to implement the law, directly affecting insurers, healthcare providers (like doctors, dentists, hospitals, and clinics), and patients in Mississippi.
Maddy summaryMississippi SB 2242 establishes the "Moving Mathematics in Mississippi" (M3) program to improve math education across public K-12 schools. It requires schools to implement K-5 math screening with targeted interventions for struggling students, use 5th-grade test scores as an Algebra-Readiness Indicator to guide middle school placement, and expand math coaching for teachers in all grade bands. The bill mandates grade-specific professional development aligned with state standards and creates a state fund to support these initiatives. These changes directly affect all Mississippi public school students, teachers, and districts through new assessment protocols and support structures.
Maddy summarySB 2549 revises Mississippi's licensing requirements for radiologist assistants, requiring them to be credentialed radiologic technologists with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification and registration. It directly affects radiologist assistants and healthcare providers by clarifying communication protocols: assistants may notify providers when imaging is complete, share initial observations only with radiologists, and relay the radiologist's final or preliminary interpretations to other providers. The bill explicitly prohibits assistants from interpreting images, making diagnoses, or prescribing treatments. This legislation takes effect July 1, 2026, and aligns licensing rules with guidelines from major radiology professional organizations.