Bill > HB1136

This bill requires certain nonprofit hospitals to provide a minimum value of community benefits annually, defined as planned activities addressing identified community health needs, which can include charity care (free or reduced-cost care), health professional education, research, financial contributions, community-building activities, and government-sponsored indigent care (unreimbursed costs for providing care to recipients of government programs like Maryland Medical Assistance). The Health Services Cost Review Commission (the Commission) will report on hospital compliance to the Attorney General and the Comptroller, and the Comptroller is authorized to revoke a hospital's tax-exempt status if it fails to meet these community benefit requirements, though hospitals may have one opportunity to correct unintentional miscalculations. The bill also alters the requirements for community benefit reports, mandating more detailed information about the costs of charity care and government-sponsored indigent care, as well as total operating expenses, and establishes penalties for failing to submit these reports on time.