Safety net hospitals.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various types of health facilities, including hospitals, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law sets forth various provisions relating to disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) , which are hospitals providing acute inpatient services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries that meet the criteria for disproportionate share status, as specified; small and rural hospitals; and critical access hospitals, as certified by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the federal Medicare rural hospital flexibility program. Existing law sets forth other provisions relating to safety net hospitals in different contexts, including among others, special health authorities and Medi-Cal reimbursement. This bill would establish a definition for "safety net hospital" and would state the intent of the Legislature that this definition serve as a recommended definition for policymakers to elect to utilize when crafting policy aimed at focusing on or supporting those hospitals. Under the bill, the definition would not be construed as affecting existing or new references to safety net hospitals, unless future legislation or other action expressly makes reference to this definition, as specified. Under the bill, "safety net hospital" would mean a Medicaid DSH-eligible hospital; a rural hospital, including a small and rural hospital and a critical access hospital, as specified; or a sole community hospital, as classified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and in accordance with certain federal provisions.