TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.

Senate Bill 532 proposes to amend the definition of "specialty hospital" within the Arkansas Medicaid program. This change directly affects which hospitals are categorized as specialty hospitals for the purpose of an assessment fee. Currently, the definition includes acute care general hospitals primarily serving children and exempt from Medicare's prospective payment system. The bill would expand this definition to also include hospitals primarily or exclusively focused on treating patients with cardiac, orthopedic, or spinal conditions.