This bill proposes to amend Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new article focused on the integrity of rural county hospital safety nets. It introduces definitions for "core safety net service," "limited service hospital," and "rural county," while establishing a community stability assessment for limited service hospitals operating in rural counties. Specifically, starting January 1, 2027, these hospitals will be required to pay an assessment of four percent of their net patient revenue, which will be collected by the director and deposited into a newly established rural safety net fund.

The bill also outlines eligibility criteria for hospitals to receive funds from this safety net, including being licensed as a general hospital in the rural county, providing at least two core safety net services, and having a payor mix of at least twenty percent Medicaid or uninsured patients. Additionally, it mandates annual reporting requirements for rural hospitals regarding patient data, which the department will publish on its public website. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the financial stability and service provision of hospitals in rural areas.