FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1162

C 2 L 01 E 2

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing medical assistance reimbursements for small, rural hospitals.

Sponsors:  By Representatives McMorris, Cody, Alexander, Schual‑Berke, Mastin, Cox, Mulliken, Sump, G. Chandler, Lisk, B. Chandler, Hatfield, Schoesler, Grant, Armstrong, Kessler, Doumit, DeBolt, Delvin, Dickerson, Kenney, Bush, Conway, Edmonds, Pflug and Haigh.

House Committee on Health Care

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The Federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 established the Critical Access Hospital Program.  The program provides enhanced reimbursement through the Medicare program for small rural hospitals that meet federal eligibility criteria.  Eight rural hospitals are certified as Critical Access Hospitals and receive enhanced funding through the federal program.  These same rural hospitals also provide large amounts of service and care for Medical Assistance recipients.  There is no mechanism to provide small rural hospitals with enhanced reimbursement for services to recipients of medical assistance.

Summary:

A Critical Access Hospital Program for medical assistance recipients is established.  The Department of Social and Health Services will provide enhanced reimbursement rates for qualifying rural hospitals based on allowable costs incurred during the year.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate480(Senate amended)

House(House refused to concur)

Senate(Senate refused to recede)

First Special Session

House890

Second Special Session

House860

Senate400

Effective: September 20, 2001