This bill establishes a Hospital Charity Care Payment Program, which will be administered by the commissioner of health in Minnesota. The program aims to provide financial support to eligible nonprofit hospitals that offer charity care adjustments. A charity care account will be created within the special revenue fund, where funds collected from a hospital surcharge will be deposited. The bill outlines the definitions of key terms, eligibility criteria for hospitals, and the process for applying for payments. It also specifies how the commissioner will calculate payment amounts based on the available funds in the charity care account and the charity care adjustments reported by the hospitals.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to include provisions related to the hospital surcharge, which will now be directed to the charity care account instead of the general fund. The effective date for the new provisions is set for July 1, 2026, and they will apply to surcharges and civil penalties collected on or after that date. The bill also includes reporting requirements for hospitals receiving payments to ensure proper evaluation of the program. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance support for hospitals providing charity care, thereby improving access to healthcare services for underserved populations.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256.9656, 256.9657