MEDICAID: Provides for other rural hospital reimbursement payments and directed payments (EG +$6,691,832 GF EX See Note)

HB 1185 amends Louisiana state statutes to establish a funding mechanism for Medicaid reimbursements specifically designated for other rural hospitals. The bill requires the state department to make these payments by September 1, provided the hospitals are current on all assessment obligations and not in arrears. It includes strict provisions to ensure that these new funds are supplemental and cannot be used to offset or reduce any existing federal, state, or local funding streams for rural healthcare facilities. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the implementation of these payments must not result in any reduction of current Medicaid reimbursement rates for these hospitals.