The Florida House appears ready to give final approval to a bill that would create a new category of “rural emergency hospitals” in the state.
On Tuesday, the House took up the bill (SB 644) and positioned it for a vote as soon as Wednesday. The Senate unanimously passed the bill on Feb. 28. Supporters say the bill would help ensure healthcare access in rural areas.
“It is difficult to overstate the invaluable role that rural hospitals play in their communities,” Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, said in a prepared statement last month as rural hospital leaders gathered at the Capitol. “As Florida’s population continues to age and grow, we must continue to think innovatively about how we can fortify our rural hospitals to preserve access to quality care in our rural communities, for all stages of life and for generations to come.”
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The bill has been sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, and Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, who represent sprawling rural areas of North Florida.
The measure stems from a federal law that allowed the designation of rural emergency hospitals and made them eligible for Medicare payments.
The hospitals are required to be licensed by states, creating a need for the bill. Under the measure, facilities designated as rural emergency hospitals could provide emergency services, observation care and outpatient services that do not exceed an average length of stay of 24 hours.
They would be exempted from requirements about providing inpatient care and such things as surgical care.
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A Senate staff analysis said Florida has 22 rural hospitals and that rural hospitals in DeFuniak Springs, Williston and Lake City have closed since 2010. Also, it said 15 states have approved designations of rural emergency hospitals.
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