South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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Bill 1120

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


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Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

INTRODUCED

March 31, 2004

S. 1120

Introduced by Senator Moore

S. Printed 3/31/04--S.    [SEC 4/1/04 3:32 PM]

Read the first time March 31, 2004.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 6, TITLE 44, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING TO THE ARTICLE RURAL HOSPITALS FOR RECOGNITION AND DESIGNATION AND TO DEFINE RURAL HOSPITALS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 7, Chapter 6, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Article 7

Recognition and Designation of Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics and Rural Hospitals

SECTION 44-6-910.    (A)    Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC's), and Rural Health Clinics (RHC's) and Rural Hospitals are recognized and designated as essential community providers for underserved patients which include Medicaid and Medicare recipients, the underinsured, and the uninsured. These populations require more extensive services by community-based providers, and the FQHC's, and RHC's and Rural Hospitals have extensive experience and knowledge in providing quality, cost-effective care for these populations. The State shall include these essential community providers as contracted entities in any formulation of the state health care system. The inclusion of FQHC's, and RHC's, and Rural Hospitals as contracted entities in the state health care system recognizes the importance of these providers to South Carolina and assures that the reimbursement to these essential community providers will be funded through cost-based reimbursement or a capitated fee based on reasonable costs.

(B)    A hospital located in an urban area (MSA County), can be considered 'rural' for the purposes of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program if it meets the following criteria:

        (1)    enrolled as both a Medicaid and Medicare provider and accepts assignment for all Medicaid and Medicare patients;

        (2)    provides emergency health care services to indigent patients;

        (3)    maintains a 24-hour emergency room;

        (4)    staffs fifty or less acute care beds; and

        (5)    located in a county with twenty-five percent or more rural residents, as defined by the most recent United States decennial census."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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