Creates the Community Hospital Stabilization Fund as a special treasury fund (OR +$32,376,506 SD EX See Note)
Impact
The bill's provisions stipulate the allocation of funds for various purposes including enhanced Medicaid payments, disproportionate share payments, and reimbursement of costs associated with local governments for certification of public expenditures. This financial structure aims to stabilize community hospitals, particularly in light of increasing operational costs and the financial strain of providing uncompensated care. The emphasis on public expenditures suggests an attempt to tap into federal matching funds to bolster support for these facilities, which can be vital for underserved populations.
Summary
House Bill 1364 establishes the Community Hospital Stabilization Fund as a special treasury fund intended to provide necessary financial support to community hospitals across the state. The funding sources include legislative appropriations, donations, grants, and federal funds resulting from certified public expenditures. This setup aims to ensure that community hospitals have access to enhanced payments for Medicaid services, including inpatient and outpatient care, which are critical for sustaining their operations.
Sentiment
The general sentiment surrounding HB 1364 appears to be supportive among stakeholders in the healthcare community, particularly those representing community hospitals. Advocates argue that such financial measures are essential to maintaining hospital services, particularly for vulnerable populations, thereby fostering a healthier community infrastructure. Conversely, there may be concerns regarding the sufficiency of funding and the administrative workload related to the certification of public expenditures, which some critics suggest could complicate access to aid for smaller hospitals.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the requirement for community hospitals to certify their public expenditures, a process that could be burdensome for some smaller or rural hospitals. There is also apprehension regarding the fund's capacity to meet the rising demand for Medicaid services as healthcare needs continue to grow. The bill also specifies that no funds should supplant state general fund appropriations below the fiscal year 2009-2010 levels, potentially restricting resource allocation depending on the fiscal landscape, leading to debates about the long-term sustainability of the funding model.
Provides for the dedication of certain monies to the Hospital Revenue Equalization Fund which is created in the state treasury for the purpose of providing uncompensated care to public, nonstate, nonrural hospitals. (gov sig) (OR GF EX See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for a hospital stabilization formula and assessment and creates the Hospital Stabilization Fund and provides for uses of the fund (EN INCREASE SD RV See Note)
Provides for certain funds in the state treasury and the powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the Dedicated Fund Review Subcommittee of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. (See Act) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV See Note)
Human services: medical services; participation in the ground emergency medical transport reimbursement program; require. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 109p.
Ambulance Service Provider Access Payment Program; relating to supplemental Medicaid reimbursement for ground emergency transportation; deleting certain requirement for reimbursement. Emergency.