HB985 • 2026

Commissioner of Insurance; authorize to apply for state innovation waiver under Affordable Care Act.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-9-253, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE TO APPLY FOR A STATE INNOVATION WAIVER UNDER THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Yancey
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: Passage

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on potential impacts or benefits of obtaining a state innovation waiver, so claims about specific outcomes were removed.

Allowing Insurance Commissioner to Apply for Health Care Waiver

This bill allows the Mississippi Insurance Commissioner to apply for a waiver under federal health care law, which could let the state make changes to how it provides health insurance.

What This Bill Does

Gives the Insurance Commissioner permission to ask for a special waiver from federal health care rules.

Who It Names or Affects

Mississippi residents who rely on health insurance
Health insurance companies operating in Mississippi

Terms To Know

State Innovation Waiver: A permission slip from the federal government that lets a state change its health care laws to try new ideas.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): Also known as Obamacare, this is a major U.S. law about health insurance and health care.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass during the session it was introduced.
It's unclear what specific changes Mississippi might make if they get the waiver.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/16 (H) Referred To Insurance

Official Summary Text

Commissioner of Insurance; authorize to apply for state innovation waiver under Affordable Care Act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 985 *HR26/R1671* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R1671
PAGE 1 (RKM\KW)

To: Insurance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Yancey

HOUSE BILL NO. 985

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-9-253, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE TO APPLY FOR A STATE 2
INNOVATION WAIVER UNDER THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE 3
ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 83-9-253, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
83-9-253. The Commissioner of Insurance shall have the 8
authority to: 9
(a) Establish any program, promulgate any rule, policy, 10
guideline, or plan; or change any program, rule, policy or 11
guideline to implement, establish, create, administer, or 12
otherwise operate an exchange; 13
(b) Apply for, accept or expend federal monies related 14
to the creation, implementation or operation of an exchange; 15
(c) Establish any advisory board or committee the 16
Commissioner deems necessary for providing recommendations on the 17
creation, implementation or operation of an exchange; 18
H. B. No. 985 *HR26/R1671* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R1671
PAGE 2 (RKM\KW)
ST: Commissioner of Insurance; authorize to
apply for state innovation waiver under
Affordable Care Act.
(d) Use the services and funds of the Comprehensive 19
Health Insurance Risk Pool Association and the Comprehensive 20
Health Insurance Risk Pool Board to fulfill the purposes of this 21
section; * * * 22
(e) Engage such actuarial and other assistance as shall 23
be necessary to carry out the duties of the department under 24
Sections 83-9-251 through 83-9-257. The engagement of such 25
services shall not be subject to the procurement provisions of 26
Section 31-7-13 * * *; and 27
(f) Apply for a State Innovation Waiver as authorized 28
under Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care 29
Act (42 USC Sec. 18052). 30
The Commissioner of Insurance may, immediately after May 14, 31
2024, begin action to carry out the authority provided in this 32
section. 33
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 34
and after its passage. 35