Sec. 531.506. REIMBURSEMENTS FOR UNCOMPENSATED HEALTH CARE COSTS. (a) Except as otherwise provided by the terms of a waiver authorized by Section 531.502 and subject to Subsections (b) and (c), money in the fund may be allocated to hospitals in this state and political subdivisions of this state to defray the costs of providing uncompensated health care in this state.

(b) To be eligible for money from the fund under this section, a hospital or political subdivision must use a portion of the money to implement strategies that will reduce the need for uncompensated inpatient and outpatient care, including care provided in a hospital emergency room. Strategies that may be implemented by a hospital or political subdivision, as applicable, include:

(1) fostering improved access for patients to primary care systems or other programs that offer those patients medical homes, including the following programs:

(A) regional or local health care programs;

(B) programs to provide premium subsidies for health benefits coverage; and

(C) other programs to increase access to health benefits coverage; and

(2) creating health care systems efficiencies, such as using electronic medical records systems.

(c) The allocation methodology adopted by the executive commissioner under Section 531.505(b) must specify the percentage of the money from the fund allocated to a hospital or political subdivision that the hospital or political subdivision must use for strategies described by Subsection (b).

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 268 (S.B. 10), Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2007.