Medi-Cal: critical access hospitals: islands.
The bill mandates the Department of Health Care Services to make annual supplemental payments to eligible hospitals, which will be calculated based on the median amount paid to hospitals in the state for corresponding services in the prior fiscal year. Importantly, this payment is emphasized to be supplementary to any existing payments the hospitals currently receive under existing laws, ensuring that the unique hospital settings do not face financial disadvantages relative to other healthcare providers.
Assembly Bill 2342, introduced by Assembly Member Lowenthal, seeks to amend the Welfare and Institutions Code to provide additional financial relief to critical access hospitals located on islands that are positioned more than 10 miles offshore from the California mainland. The bill identifies a unique situation these hospitals face due to their geographic locations, necessitating specific legislative attention to ensure they receive adequate funding to operate effectively and serve low-income populations under the Medi-Cal program.
AB 2342 also articulates the need for federal approvals and budget appropriations to realize its goals, highlighting the dependence on broader legislative frameworks to implement such financial measures. While the bill is crafted to support critical access hospitals, potential concerns may arise regarding the sustainability of such funding and the impact of federal participation on future legislative agendas and budget allocations. This framework reflects ongoing discussions about state and federal partnerships in healthcare delivery, especially for geographically isolated populations.