Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (May 11, 1989)
Rural Medical Assistance Facilities Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration to make ten to 15 four-year grants to no more than six States covering 90 percent of the costs of transforming a rural hospital into a medical assistance facility. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to use funds authorized for the rural health care transition grant program for rural hospital transformation grants.
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities. Requires that such facilities: (1) be located in rural areas at least 30 miles from a hospital; (2) provide emergency care, stabilization care, and basic inpatient care for stays not exceeding four days; (3) provide ambulatory care in accordance with standards to be established by the Secretary; (4) receive quality assurance and utilization review services; (5) agree to participate in the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act); and (6) have transfer and discharge planning agreements with referral hospitals. Authorizes such facilities to provide obstetric services and outpatient surgical care pursuant to protocols to be established by the Secretary.
Makes Medicare rural hospital staffing requirements applicable to medical assistance facilities, but authorizes facility care to be provided by nurse practitioners or physician assistants pursuant to protocols developed by the Secretary so that such facilities have flexibility in meeting physician "on call" requirements. Exempts such facilities from hospital 24-hour service requirements.
Authorizes the Secretary to develop a methodology for reimbursing medical assistance facilities which differs from that used in reimbursing hospitals.
Amends the Medicaid program to cover services provided by medical assistance facilities.
Sets forth reporting requirements.
What just happenedJun 1, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Who’s behind it
- Jun 1, 1989CommitteeH11000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Health and Environment Subcommittee - May 19, 1989CommitteeH11000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Health Subcommittee - May 11, 1989IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Ways and Means Committee - May 11, 1989IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Energy and Commerce Committee - May 11, 1989IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- May 11, 1989IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House