PUBLIC LAWS
First Special Session of the 122nd

CHAPTER 342
S.P. 231 - L.D. 694

An Act To Restore Fair MaineCare Payments to Critical Access Hospitals

     Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

     Whereas, it is imperative to improve the Medicare payments to critical access hospitals; and

     Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

     Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1714-B, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. ZZZ, §1, is amended to read:

§1714-B. Critical access hospital reimbursement

     For state fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2005, the department shall reimburse critical access hospitals that are unconditionally licensed at 75% of charges or 117% of MaineCare allowable costs, whichever is less, for both inpatient and outpatient services provided to patients covered by the MaineCare program. Of the total allocated from hospital tax revenues under Title 36, chapter 375, $1,000,000 in state and federal funds must be distributed annually among critical access hospitals for staff enhancement payments.

     Sec. 2. Federal approval. The provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 1714-B are subject to approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

Effective June 8, 2005.

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