HOSPITAL CHARITY CARE

Creates the Hospital Charity Care Act. Provides that no hospital or its medical staff shall adopt or maintain admission practices or policies that result in any of the following: (i) a significant reduction in the proportion of patients who have no third-party coverage and who are unable to pay for hospital services; (ii) a significant reduction in the proportion of individuals admitted for inpatient hospital services for which payment is, or is likely to be, less than the anticipated charges for or costs of such services; or (iii) the refusal to admit patients who would be expected to require unusually costly or prolonged treatment for reasons other than those related to the appropriateness of the care available at the hospital. Provides that no hospital shall adopt or maintain practices or policies that would deny access to emergency care based on ability to pay. Requires every hospital to maintain a charity care policy and sliding fee schedule and to provide notice of the policy to patients. Also regulates a hospital's debt collection activities. Provides for administration of the Act by the Department of Public Health.