HF 144: Relating to rural emergency hospitals, including licensing requirements and fees, making penalties applicable, providing emergency rulemaking authority, and including applicability and effective date provisions

What it does

This bill provides for state licensure of rural emergency hospitals. Under the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (federal Act), rural emergency hospitals (REHs) were established as a new provider type. Effective January 1, 2023, REHs will be eligible to enroll in Medicare and to receive an enhanced reimbursement rate for eligible services consisting of the outpatient prospective payment system rate plus a percent add-on and a fixed monthly payment. In order to be classified as an REH under the federal Act, a facility must meet certain requirements, including applicable state licensing requirements.

Lobbying · 9 for, 1 against

For: Genesis Health System; IA Mental Health Planning Council; Insight Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience; Iowa Association of Rural Health Clinics; Iowa Hospital Association; Iowa Medical Society; Iowa Primary Care Association; MercyOne; UnityPoint Health

Against: Iowa Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

In plain words

1. January 26, 2023Filed in the House
2. February 28, 2023Sent to the House Health and Human Services committee