HOUSE BILL 1038

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

John A. Heaton

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; AMENDING THE INDIGENT HOSPITAL AND COUNTY HEALTH CARE ACT TO PERMIT CERTAIN PAYMENTS FROM A COUNTY INDIGENT HOSPITAL CLAIMS FUND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 27-5-7.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 321, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read:

     "27-5-7.1. COUNTY INDIGENT HOSPITAL CLAIMS FUND--AUTHORIZED USES OF THE FUND.--

          A. The fund shall be used:

                (1) to meet the county's contribution for support of sole community provider payments as calculated by the department for that county;

                (2) to pay for expenses of burial or cremation of an indigent person; [and]

                (3) to pay all claims that have been approved by the board that are not matched with federal funds under the state medicaid program; and

                (4) to pay for emergency and specialty inpatient and outpatient care delivered in a class A county by a county hospital or other medical facility operated and maintained by a state educational institution named in Article 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico and its medical doctors, osteopathic physicians and other professional providers when that care is not available within the county or is necessary to address life-threatening injuries, illnesses or disabilities of indigent residents of the county. Payment shall not be less than amounts paid by the department for medicaid patients who are not enrolled in managed care organizations.

          B. The fund may be used to meet the county's obligation under Section 27-10-4 NMSA 1978."

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