ATLANTA (AP) - Gov. Nathan Deal's plan to avoid losing more than $450 million in federal money for Medicaid has cleared another legislative hurdle.
A House committee on Tuesday endorsed the proposal to let an appointed board set special hospital fees to support Medicaid. Senate Bill 24 is headed to the full House.
The so-called "Medicaid bed tax" is a political conundrum. Hospitals currently pay a tax on net patient revenue. That money is used as match funding to get the federal Medicaid support. The scheme boosts payments to hospitals and other health care providers who treat Medicaid patients.
But the tax expires June 30. Lawmakers don't want to lose the money, but are equally hesitant to renew anything called a tax. Deal's idea is intended to spare them the explicit tax vote.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:53:02 GMT
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Security will be tight and traffic will be messy around the Morehouse College campus on Sunday. President Barack Obama will address graduates at the college's commencement ceremony.
Saturday, May 18 2013 3:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 19:44:49 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
State officials are reminding drivers the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to begin and could translate to fines for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing seatbelts.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:59 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:59:14 GMT
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over?
Who wants to a millionaire? How about 600 times over? The already gigantic Powerball jackpot for this Saturday night's drawing has risen again, hitting $600 million at noon on Friday—which is the highest in the history of the game.
