AL HB322

Extends the private hospital assessment and Medicaid funding program from fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2019, with the program automatically terminating on September 30, 2019 unless further extended.

Increases the assessment rate on privately operated hospitals from 5.50 percent to 5.75 percent of net patient revenue, using fiscal year 2016 Medicare Cost Report data instead of 2014 data.

Extends the intergovernmental transfer program for publicly owned and state-owned hospitals through fiscal year 2019, with a maximum annual cap of $333,434,048 for total transfers.

Maintains Medicaid hospital payment structures including APR-DRG rates for inpatient services and fee-for-service rates for outpatient services, with provisions for access payments if certain conditions are met.

Includes termination triggers if hospital expenditures decrease, Medicaid changes reimbursement rates, federal matching funds become unavailable, or the assessments are ruled impermissible under federal law.