Bill > SB1019

This bill modifies several provisions related to health care, primarily concerning hospital investments and operations. It increases the percentage of a hospital's "available funds" (money not needed for immediate expenses) that can be invested in various mutual funds, bonds, or money market investments from twenty-five to fifty percent, with the remainder to be invested as the state treasurer is allowed. This change applies to hospitals receiving less than three percent of their annual revenue from municipal, county, or state taxes, and less than three percent from appropriated funds from their host municipality. The bill also allows hospitals organized under certain chapters to purchase, operate, or lease related facilities or engage in health care activities outside their immediate city boundaries, with a provision requiring city approval if the hospital received appropriated city funds in the preceding twelve months. Additionally, it repeals and reenacts sections related to Lyme disease reporting and surveillance, requiring confirmed or suspected cases to be reported to the department of health and senior services within three days, and mandates the department to compile and report on Lyme disease incidence and prevalence annually, collaborating with higher education institutions for data integration. Finally, it introduces a new section allowing hospital districts to invest up to fifty percent of their available funds in specific investment vehicles, similar to the changes for individual hospitals, provided the district receives less than three percent of its annual revenue from hospital district or state taxes.