JACKSON, MS – Americans for Prosperity–Mississippi (AFP-MS) today reflected on the conclusion of the 2026 state legislative session, highlighting key policy wins that advance opportunity and reduce barriers for Mississippians.
Throughout the session, AFP-MS worked alongside lawmakers and grassroots advocates to advance priorities outlined in its 601Blueprint: Building a Better Mississippi, focused on expanding access to health care, promoting economic freedom, and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Key legislative victories include:
- Certificate of Need Reform (HB 3): While not a full repeal, this legislation raises capital spending thresholds that trigger certificate of need (CON) requirements across major medical equipment, clinical health services, and nonclinical health services. This is an important step toward reducing regulatory barriers for health care expansion and innovation.
- Small Community Hospital Pilot Program (HB 1622): This bill exempts certain rural hospitals from CON requirements for facility expansion and services, helping to improve health care access in underserved communities across Mississippi.
- Economic Development Accountability (SB 2202): This legislation ensures that companies receiving state economic development incentives uphold employee privacy and secret ballot protections in unionization decisions. It establishes clear enforcement mechanisms and accountability standards tied to taxpayer-funded incentives.
AFP-MS State Director Starla Brown released the following statement:
“During the 2026 legislative session, Mississippi lawmakers delivered meaningful progress to expand access to care and strengthen accountability for taxpayers. Reforms to CON requirements and the creation of the Small Community Hospital Pilot Program mark substantive steps toward improving health care access in rural communities, while economic development incentives restore accountability to use of taxpayer funds.
“While important work remains, we are proud of the progress achieved this session and grateful to the grassroots activists and coalition partners who made it possible. AFP-MS is committed to building on these gains and continuing to advance solutions like education freedom and portable benefits, which will further unlock opportunity and prosperity for Mississippians.”
