Gov. Nathan Deal signs Medicaid tax compromise

Gov. Nathan Deal signs Medicaid tax compromise

Posted: Updated:
ATLANTA -

Gov. Nathan Deal has signed into a law his plan to extend a key piece of Medicaid insurance funding without explicitly extending a tax on hospitals.

The new law allows a state health board of the governor's appointees to tax Georgia hospitals' net patient revenue, rather than have the legislature do it. The money then will be used to qualify for federal Medicaid support. The new scheme will replace an existing tax that the General Assembly approved in 2010. That tax expires June 30.

Lawmakers didn't want to lose $450 million in annual federal Medicaid money secured by the tax. But many of them, particularly Republicans, also feared primary challenges in 2014 if they voted to extend that setup.

Hospital executives support the compromise that Deal first offered in January.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

  • More Health News

  • Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
    Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
    Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them.  Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself.  But how do you pick the right bug repellent? 
    Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them.  Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself.  But how do you pick the right bug repellent? 
  • FOX Medical Team

    Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT

    Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.

    Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
  • CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HEROES

  • Children's Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada.  Click here for more on our local heroes!
Powered by WorldNow

FOX 13 / WTVT-TV
3213 West Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33609
Main: (813) 876-1313
Newsroom: (813) 870-9630
Fax: (813) 871-3135

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices