Extension Of Hospital Provider Fee Advancing Swiftly Through Ga. House

In a normal year for health care legislation, Georgia House Bill 321 would have attracted a ton of attention at the state Capitol.

But with bills to provide a Medicaid waiver and to reform the state’s health care regulatory structure already drawing an intense spotlight, legislation to extend the hospital provider fee passed quietly – and swiftly — in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

The hospital payment program, which draws extra federal funding, fills nearly a $1 billion hole annually in the state Medicaid budget.