STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2552

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator VITALE)

ADOPTED: MAY 20, 2024

      The Senate floor amendments provide that, if a participating county submits a proposed fee and expenditure report that includes plans to increase Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare payments for any hospital within its jurisdiction that exceeds the calculated value of its hospital-specific disproportionate share limit, the proposed fee and expenditure report submitted by the county is to include an attestation from the chief executive officer of any such hospital confirming that the hospital is subject to a reduction in disproportionate share hospital payments, including Charity Care payments, at the Commissioner’s discretion and upon notice to the hospital and to the extent necessary to comply with payment limits outlined in section 1923(g) of the federal Social Security Act.

      The Senate floor amendments provide that any hospital that exceeds its hospital-specific disproportionate share limit pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s.1396r-4 as a result of payments received pursuant to the County Option Hospital Fee Program or pursuant to other State or federal funding mechanisms or pools will be liable to the State for any funds the State may be required to reimburse the federal government for any such excess disproportionate share hospital funds attributable to the hospital.

      The Senate floor amendments provide that the administrative provisions established by a board of County commissioners regarding the imposition of a hospital fee under the County Option Hospital Fee Program may include the application of liens.