PA proposes hospital tax to boost indigent care funds

The state of Pennsylvania is proposing to tax hospitals in two counties where the highest number of patients on its Medical Assistance program live. The state Department of Public Welfare wants to boost payments to providers serving low-income, elderly and disabled people by placing an "assessment on net patient revenues" on general hospitals. While the tax would only apply to Allegheny and Philadelphia county, the income would boost payments for Medical Assistance providers in all 67 counties. The tax can only go forward if the state legislature approves it, as the counties don't have the authority to assess such a tax--nor to assess non-profits--unless it does. However, it doesn't look as though state legislators support the idea.

To learn more about the state's plans:
- read this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article

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