DSH Act

Bill 118 s 5346, also known as the "Minimum Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Allotment Act," aims to make changes to title XIX of the Social Security Act in order to create a minimum Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment for states.

Medicaid DSH payments are made to hospitals that serve a large number of low-income and uninsured patients. These payments help offset the costs of providing care to these vulnerable populations. However, the current system for distributing DSH payments can vary widely between states, leading to disparities in funding for hospitals across the country.

This bill seeks to address these disparities by establishing a minimum DSH allotment for each state. This would ensure that all states receive a baseline level of funding to support their safety-net hospitals. The specific amount of the minimum allotment would be determined based on a formula that takes into account factors such as the number of low-income individuals in the state and the amount of uncompensated care provided by hospitals. By creating a more equitable distribution of DSH funds, this bill aims to improve access to care for low-income and uninsured individuals, as well as strengthen the financial stability of safety-net hospitals. It is an important step towards ensuring that all Americans have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their income or insurance status.