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Hospital Funding Reform: Prioritizing Care for Low-Income Patients.

This law changes how federal funds are distributed to states to support hospitals that treat a high volume of low-income patients (Medicaid and uninsured). Starting in 2026, funding allocation will be based on the state's poverty level, and hospitals must be categorized into priority tiers to ensure that the most critical safety-net facilities receive support first. The goal is to protect access to essential healthcare services for the poorest citizens.
Key points
Starting in 2026, the distribution of federal funds for hospitals serving the poor will be based on the state's poverty ratio, replacing previous allocation methods.
Implementation of a mandatory prioritization system (Tier 1 to Tier 4) directing the highest financial support to hospitals with the highest volume of Medicaid and low-income patients.
States gain flexibility to reserve a portion of annual funds for future years, aiming to provide greater financial stability for essential medical facilities.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_990
Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Process start date: 2023-02-14
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

SAFE Hospitals Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_990.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-02-14.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Starting in 2026, the distribution of federal funds for hospitals serving the poor will be based on the state's poverty ratio, replacing previous allocation methods.
  • Implementation of a mandatory prioritization system (Tier 1 to Tier 4) directing the highest financial support to hospitals with the highest volume of Medicaid and low-income patients.
  • States gain flexibility to reserve a portion of annual funds for future years, aiming to provide greater financial stability for essential medical facilities.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Health