Bill > SB1198

This bill aims to help two rural hospitals in Tennessee - Perry County Community Hospital in Linden and Decatur County General Hospital in Parsons - qualify for critical access hospital (CAH) designation under federal law. A critical access hospital is a federal designation for small, rural hospitals that provides them with special Medicare reimbursement and support to help keep essential healthcare services available in underserved areas. The bill declares these two hospitals as "necessary providers" of healthcare services, recognizing their historical importance in serving their communities, even before their recent closures. The state legislature finds that rural hospitals are crucial for providing medical care to vulnerable populations and that these specific hospitals have been fundamental in delivering healthcare services in their regions. The bill requires the Tennessee Department of Health and Health Facilities Commission to work with federal agencies to facilitate the CAH designation process, ensuring these hospitals can receive the support and resources needed to continue providing critical healthcare services to rural Tennessee residents. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act can still be implemented.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1198&ga=114