Senate Bill 2323, allows the government-owned University of Mississippi Medical Center to buy out rural and community hospitals. The bill would exclude the state from any anti-competition laws providing a pathway for the state to have a complete monopoly on medical services provided by hospitals in the state. The original version of the bill includes language on line 335 that states the legislature understands that the bill is anti-free-market and impacts competition, but they believe that it is necessary for the “benefits of collaboration.”

No Socialized Medicine In Mississippi

Even with a private hospital amendment, it may not provide protection for private hospitals, with the state being shielded from anti-competition laws.

There is nothing good about this bill, which was introduced by a Republican in a Republican supermajority Senate, being led by a Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. According to the Mississippi Republican (GOP) website, Republicans should hold a view of free markets in healthcare, stating “We can have an affordable, accessible and quality health care system by empowering individuals and families, promoting free-market competition.” This bill is anything but free-market and the Republicans pushing it seem to be anything but Republicans.