Bill > SB515

This bill modifies the responsibilities of the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), a state agency that oversees hospital costs and rates to ensure fairness and affordability for healthcare consumers. Specifically, the bill requires the HSCRC, when evaluating a health facility's financial resources and reviewing costs and rates for hospital services, to consider all reasonable costs and expenditures associated with operating the facility. This includes costs incurred for employing or contracting with physicians and other professional providers, even if the facility doesn't receive corresponding revenue to offset these expenses. The bill also mandates that the HSCRC report to legislative committees by June 1, 2027, on its efforts to collect and analyze data on these specific provider costs and to develop a policy to address them, aiming to ensure reasonable funding for essential provider services, maintain access to care, and support the state's healthcare efficiency goals.