The bill amends RCW 74.09.5225 to establish that payments for services provided by rural hospitals designated as rural emergency hospitals, which are certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will be subject to appropriation. This means that the funding for these payments will depend on the availability of state appropriations. The bill maintains the existing framework for payments to critical access hospitals and outlines the conditions under which rural hospitals can participate in alternative payment methodologies through the Washington rural health access preservation pilot.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the Washington rural health access preservation pilot, which aims to develop a new service and payment system to sustain essential services in rural communities. It emphasizes that participation in the pilot is optional for hospitals and outlines the requirements for the pilot's formation, including the establishment of goals, reporting obligations, and the use of appropriated funds to assist hospitals in transitioning to the new payment methodology. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the financial sustainability of rural healthcare services while ensuring that payments are appropriately funded.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 74.09.5225