HB 543 -- Licensure of Hospitals

Co-Sponsors:  LeVota, Dougherty, Young

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Senior Services
from granting an initial license to establish an acute care
hospital or a license to maintain an acute care hospital unless:

(1)  The department determines the suitability and responsibility
of a prospective licensee;

(2)  All financial transactions, including the compensation paid
to officers affected by these transactions, are publicly
disclosed;

(3)  A public hearing is held according to rules established by
the department;

(4)  An applicant agrees to maintain or increase the percentage
of gross receipts allocated to the provision of free care, with
adjustments if it is determined that a hospital's service area
has experienced demographic or other changes;

(5)  An applicant submits a plan approved by the department for
the provision of community benefits, including the identification
and provision of essential services; and

(6)  A board of trustees or board of directors of a hospital
publicly presents and evaluates all proposals in connection with
a hospital merger or acquisition.

Additional provisions contained in the bill require any hospital
planning to close or discontinue any essential services to inform
the department 120 days prior to the closing or discontinuance of
essential health services.

The department may order any licensee to correct deficiencies
found during an on-site inspection or found through information
in its possession.  If a hospital is ordered to correct
deficiencies, the department may assess a penalty ranging from
$1,000 to $10,000 per deficiency each day the deficiency is not
corrected.  Hospitals may file a written request with the
department for administrative reconsideration of an order to
correct deficiencies within seven days of receipt of the order.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am