New Health Care Laws Take Effect Today
Several new laws affecting Missouri hospitals and health care providers take effect today, Aug. 28, following the 2026 legislative session.
Among them is HB 2372, a wide-ranging health care bill signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe in July that contains several MHA priorities. Provisions include increased transparency in insurers’ prior authorization practices, modernization of the physician licensure application process, elimination of notary requirements for certain mental health detention and evaluation applications, and protections for insurance coverage of anesthesia services.
The law also includes a new hospital signage requirement that takes effect today. Hospitals must prominently display signage in emergency department and labor and delivery waiting rooms outlining the legal penalties for assaulting health care professionals. MHA has developed ready-to-use signage as part of its Healing Happens Here resources to help hospitals meet the statutory requirement.
Additional provisions of HB 2372 have later implementation dates, including requirements related to real-time electronic prior authorization.
Hospital leaders are encouraged to review MHA’s 2026 Legislative Session Summary for additional information about new laws affecting Missouri hospitals, health care teams and the patients they serve.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 136 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.