EXTENDED CARE SERVICES PROGRAM                                                              S.B. 446:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 446 (as introduced 6-20-13)

Sponsor:  Senator Darwin L. Booher

Committee:  Health Policy

 

Date Completed:  1-23-14

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to revise a prohibition against a hospital's providing extended care services in a swing bed if the hospital owns or operates a long-term care unit that has beds available.

 

Federal law allows rural hospitals meeting prescribed criteria to provide extended care services through the use of "swing beds" (that is, to use hospital beds for services that otherwise would be provided in a nursing home).  Under Michigan's Public Health Code, in order to provide such services, a hospital must apply to the Department of Community Health for a certificate of need (CON), have fewer than 100 licensed beds, and provide evidence that the hospital has had difficulty in placing patients in skilled nursing home beds during the preceding 12 months.

 

A hospital that is granted a CON for an extended care services program may not provide the services in a swing bed if the hospital owns or operates a hospital long-term care unit that has beds available.  The bill would refer to beds available "at the time a patient requires admission for extended care services".

 

MCL 333.22210                                                             Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

While the bill could affect where an extended care patient would be placed, the decision to place is based on the patient's needs rather than the location of available beds.  Therefore, the bill should have a minimal fiscal impact.

 

                                                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Steve Angelotti

 

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.