The bill amends existing Kansas statutes related to hospital provider assessments, specifically increasing the annual assessment rate on inpatient and outpatient revenue from a maximum of 3% to 6%. It also removes the previous minimum assessment requirement of 1.83% on net inpatient operating revenue. The amendments clarify that the assessment will be determined by the healthcare access improvement panel in consultation with the Department of Health and Environment, based on the hospital's fiscal year three years prior to the assessment year. Additionally, the bill expands exemptions for certain hospital providers, including state agencies and critical access hospitals, from the assessment based on revenue thresholds set by the healthcare access improvement panel.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the payment schedule for the assessment, changing the due dates from June 30 and December 31 to May 30 and November 30, respectively. It allows the Department of Health and Environment to establish delayed payment schedules for hospitals facing financial difficulties and imposes penalties for late payments. The bill also repeals existing sections of law that are being amended, ensuring that the new provisions take effect following their publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-6210, 65-6208, 65-6209