This bill aims to revise existing laws concerning hospital financial assistance and community benefit requirements by granting the Department of Public Health and Human Services the authority to establish standards for nonprofit hospitals. It introduces new financial assistance and community benefit reporting requirements, ensuring that these hospitals are held accountable for their contributions to the community and the financial support they provide to patients in need.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for rulemaking authority, allowing the Department to create specific regulations that align with the newly established standards. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), specifically sections 50-5-106, 50-5-112, 50-5-121, and 50-5-245, to incorporate these changes and enhance the oversight of nonprofit hospitals in relation to their financial assistance and community benefit obligations.

Statutes affected:
HB0045_1.pdf: 50-5-106, 50-5-112, 50-5-121, 50-5-245
HB0045_2.pdf: 50-5-106, 50-5-112, 50-5-121, 50-5-245
Amended: 50-5-106, 50-5-112, 50-5-121, 50-5-245
Introduced: 50-5-106, 50-5-112, 50-5-121, 50-5-245