DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 652 Original 2015 Regular Session Hunter
Abstract: Requires the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to implement an equitable system of
Medicaid reimbursement among certain hospitals with overlapping catchment areas.
Present law provides for duties of the secretary of the Dept. of Health and Hospitals (DHH) with
respect to operation of the state's Medicaid program.
Proposed law retains present law and adds thereto a duty that the secretary of DHH implement and
maintain an equitable system of Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals designated in the
Medicaid-Funded Partnerships for Operation of State Hospitals Law enacted through proposed law.
Proposed law declares that legislative direction in the Medicaid program with respect to the system
of Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals serves the best interests of the public in state fiscal matters,
access to health care, and overall public health and well-being.
Proposed law requires the secretary of DHH to take all such actions as are necessary to provide for
an equitable system of Medicaid reimbursement within and among the following set of hospitals:
(1)A state-owned teaching hospital located in a parish with a population of more than 150,000
and less than 175,000 according to the latest federal decennial census, and that is operated
by a private provider through a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state.
(2)Each hospital with a geographic catchment area that includes any portion of the geographic
catchment area of the hospital provided for above.
Proposed law provides that the equitable system of reimbursement provided for in proposed law
shall be designed in such a manner as to protect the viability of hospitals that are not reimbursed
according to the terms of a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state for operation of a state
hospital.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 36:254(D)(4) and R.S. 46:460.101-460.104)