AN ACT REGULATING ACCESSIBILITY AND COSTS OF HEALTH CARE IN THIS STATE.

HB 6146 aims to improve healthcare affordability and access in the state by implementing several key changes. It increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers (directly affecting low-income residents and healthcare facilities), regulates medical debt collection practices (impacting patients with outstanding bills), and limits excessive prior authorization requirements by insurers (affecting patient access to treatments). The bill also regulates pharmacy benefits management companies, mandates a study on hospital consolidation impacts, and restricts private equity ownership of hospitals (targeting industry ownership structures). These provisions collectively seek to reduce costs for patients and stabilize provider payments within the healthcare system.