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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| SENATE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY ERICKSON, ROBBINS, FOLMER, MUSTO, PIPPY, BAKER, KITCHEN, ORIE, GORDNER, CORMAN, ALLOWAY, BRUBAKER, EICHELBERGER, BROWNE, VANCE, RAFFERTY, GREENLEAF, SCARNATI, EARLL, WAUGH, SMUCKER, WONDERLING, PILEGGI, BOSCOLA, YAW, WOZNIAK, McILHINNEY AND DINNIMAN, MARCH 2, 2009 |
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| REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, MARCH 2, 2009 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Establishing the Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Program in |
2 | the Department of Health; providing for hospital health |
3 | clinics and for a tax credit; and making an appropriation. |
4 | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
5 | Chapter 1. Health Care Assistance |
6 | Subchapter A. Preliminary Provisions |
7 | Section 101. Short title. |
8 | Section 102. Definitions. |
9 | Subchapter B. Community-Based Health Care (CHC) |
10 | Section 111. Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Program. |
11 | Section 112. Powers and duties of department. |
12 | Section 113. Hospital health clinics. |
13 | Section 114. Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Fund. |
14 | Subchapter C. Tax Credit |
15 | Section 121. Scope of subchapter. |
16 | Section 122. Definitions. |
17 | Section 123. Establishment of program. |
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1 | Section 124. Application. |
2 | Section 125. Tax credit. |
3 | Section 126. Limitations. |
4 | Section 127. Report. |
5 | Chapter 51. Miscellaneous Provisions |
6 | Section 5101. Appropriations. |
7 | Section 5102. Effective date. |
8 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
9 | hereby enacts as follows: |
10 | CHAPTER 1 |
11 | HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE |
12 | SUBCHAPTER A |
13 | PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS |
14 | Section 101. Short title. |
15 | This act shall be known and may be cited as the Community- |
16 | Based Health Care (CHC) Act. |
17 | Section 102. Definitions. |
18 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
19 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
20 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
21 | "Chronic care and disease management." A model of care that |
22 | includes the following: |
23 | (1) The provision of effective health management through |
24 | support and information that also promotes patient self-care |
25 | for patients with chronic conditions. |
26 | (2) The use of evidence-based medicine to ensure |
27 | appropriate treatment decisions by health care providers. |
28 | (3) The coordination of care and use of reasonably |
29 | accessible and updated patient information that encourages |
30 | follow-up care as a standard procedure. |
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1 | (4) The tracking of clinical information for individual |
2 | and general patient populations to guide treatment and |
3 | effectively anticipate community health care problems. |
4 | "Community-based health care clinic." A nonprofit health |
5 | care center located in this Commonwealth that provides |
6 | comprehensive health care services without regard for a |
7 | patient's ability to pay and that: |
8 | (1) meets either of the following criteria: |
9 | (i) serves a federally designated medically |
10 | underserved area, a medically underserved population or a |
11 | health professional shortage area; or |
12 | (ii) serves a patient population with a majority of |
13 | that population having an income less than 200% of the |
14 | Federal poverty income guidelines; and |
15 | (2) includes any of the following: |
16 | (i) A federally qualified health center as defined |
17 | in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (49 |
18 | Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 1396d(l)(2)(B)) or a federally |
19 | qualified health center look-alike. |
20 | (ii) A rural health clinic as defined in section |
21 | 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 |
22 | U.S.C. § 1395x(aa)(2)), certified by Medicare. |
23 | (iii) A hospital health clinic. |
24 | (iv) A free or partial-pay health clinic that |
25 | provides services by volunteer and nonvolunteer health |
26 | care providers. |
27 | (v) A nurse-managed health care clinic that is |
28 | managed by advanced practice nurses and is associated |
29 | with a nursing education program, a federally qualified |
30 | health center or an independent nonprofit health or |
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1 | social services agency. |
2 | "Department." Except as provided under sections 113 and 122, |
3 | the Department of Health of the Commonwealth. |
4 | "Fund." The Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Fund. |
5 | "Health care provider." A health care provider licensed to |
6 | practice a component of the healing arts by a licensing board |
7 | within the Department of State who provides health care services |
8 | at a community-based health care clinic. |
9 | "Hospital." An entity located in this Commonwealth that is |
10 | licensed as a hospital under the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, |
11 | No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act. |
12 | "Medical assistance." A State program of medical assistance |
13 | established under Article IV(f) of the act of June 13, 1967 |
14 | (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code. |
15 | "Patient." A natural person receiving health care from a |
16 | health care provider at a community-based health care clinic. |
17 | "Program." The Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Program. |
18 | SUBCHAPTER B |
19 | COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CARE (CHC) |
20 | Section 111. Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Program. |
21 | (a) Establishment.--The Community-Based Health Care (CHC) |
22 | Program is established within the department to provide grants |
23 | to community-based health care clinics to: |
24 | (1) Expand and improve health care access and services, |
25 | such as preventive care, chronic care and disease management, |
26 | prenatal, obstetric, postpartum and newborn care, dental |
27 | treatment, behavioral health and pharmacy services. |
28 | (2) Reduce unnecessary utilization of hospital emergency |
29 | services by providing an effective alternative health care |
30 | delivery system. |
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1 | (3) Encourage collaborative relationships among |
2 | community-based health care clinics, hospitals and other |
3 | health care providers. |
4 | (b) Grant award methodology.--A methodology for the |
5 | allocation of grant awards shall be developed by the department |
6 | based on the following distribution: |
7 | (1) Fifty percent for the expansion of an existing or |
8 | the development of a new community-based health care clinic |
9 | using criteria that include: |
10 | (i) The actual and projected number of total |
11 | patients, new patients and patient visits for all |
12 | patients served or to be served, specifically delineating |
13 | the number of low-income and uninsured patients, who fall |
14 | below 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines. |
15 | (ii) The addition or expansion of ancillary health |
16 | care services, such as dental, behavioral health and |
17 | pharmacy. |
18 | (iii) The development or enhancement of preventive |
19 | and chronic care and disease management techniques. |
20 | (2) Twenty-five percent for improvements in prenatal, |
21 | obstetric, postpartum and newborn care. |
22 | (3) Twenty percent for improved access and services, |
23 | including patient transportation, intended to reduce |
24 | unnecessary emergency room utilization. |
25 | (4) Five percent for the establishment of collaborative |
26 | relationships among community-based health care clinics, |
27 | hospitals and other health care providers. |
28 | (c) Limitation.--No more than 25% of the grants awarded |
29 | under subsection (b) shall go to federally qualified health |
30 | centers or federally qualified health center look-alikes. |
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1 | (d) Distribution.--Funds shall be distributed in a manner |
2 | that improves access and expands services in all geographic |
3 | areas of this Commonwealth. |
4 | (e) Reallocation.--The department shall reallocate funds |
5 | among the categories described in subsection (b) if sufficient |
6 | grant requests are not received to use all the funds available |
7 | in a specific category. |
8 | (f) Amount of grants.--A grant under this subsection shall |
9 | not exceed $500,000 and shall require a matching commitment of |
10 | 25% of the grant, which can be in the form of cash or equivalent |
11 | in-kind services. |
12 | (g) Federal funds.--The department shall seek any available |
13 | Federal funds, as well as any available grants and funding from |
14 | other sources, to supplement amounts made available under this |
15 | subchapter to the extent permitted by law. |
16 | Section 112. Powers and duties of department. |
17 | The department shall have the following powers and duties: |
18 | (1) To administer the program. |
19 | (2) To develop an allocation methodology pursuant to |
20 | section 111(b). |
21 | (3) Within 90 days of the effective date of this |
22 | section, to develop and provide a grant application form |
23 | consistent with this act. The department shall provide |
24 | applications for grants under this section to all known |
25 | community-based health care clinics. A grant under this |
26 | section may be extended over two State fiscal years at the |
27 | request of the community-based health care clinic. |
28 | (4) To calculate and make grants to qualified community- |
29 | based health care clinics. |
30 | (5) To provide an annual report no later than November |
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1 | 30 to the chair and minority chair of the Public Health and |
2 | Welfare Committee of the Senate and the chair and minority |
3 | chair of the Health and Human Services Committee of the House |
4 | of Representatives. The report shall include accountability |
5 | measures for all of the following: |
6 | (i) The total dollar amount for each grant awarded, |
7 | listing the type of community-based health care clinic |
8 | and the name of the grantee. |
9 | (ii) A summary of the use of the grant by each |
10 | grantee. |
11 | (iii) A summary of how each grant expanded access |
12 | and services in accordance with the criteria set forth in |
13 | section 111(a) and (b), including a specific |
14 | documentation of low-income and uninsured patients |
15 | served, and the total amount of funds allocated in each |
16 | distribution category under section 111(b). |
17 | (iv) The impact of the grant on improving the |
18 | delivery and quality of health care in the community. |
19 | (v) An accountability assessment of the benefits of |
20 | the assistance provided under this subchapter and any |
21 | recommendations for changes to the program. |
22 | The report shall be made available for public inspection and |
23 | posted on the department's publicly accessible Internet |
24 | website. |
25 | (6) To audit grants awarded under this subchapter to |
26 | ensure that funds have been used in accordance with this |
27 | subchapter and the terms and standards adopted by the |
28 | department. |
29 | (7) To establish and maintain an online database of |
30 | community-based health care clinics. |
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1 | (8) To establish a toll-free telephone number for |
2 | individuals to obtain information about community-based |
3 | health care clinics. |
4 | Section 113. Hospital health clinics. |
5 | (a) Program.--The Department of Public Welfare shall be |
6 | responsible for administering the program as it relates to |
7 | hospital health clinics in accordance with the requirements of |
8 | this act and shall have the following additional duties: |
9 | (1) To develop an application and collect such data and |
10 | information as may be necessary to determine the eligibility |
11 | of hospital health clinics for payments under this section |
12 | using the criteria set forth in section 111(a) and (b). |
13 | (2) To review an application and make a final |
14 | determination regarding a hospital health clinic's |
15 | eligibility for funding within 90 days of receipt. |
16 | (3) To make payments to hospital health clinics in |
17 | accordance with the payment calculation set forth in |
18 | subsection (e). |
19 | (b) Submission of application.--In order to qualify for |
20 | funding under this section, a hospital health clinic shall |
21 | submit the required application to the Department of Public |
22 | Welfare no later than 90 days after the effective date of this |
23 | act. |
24 | (c) Funding.-- |
25 | (1) For fiscal year 2009-2010 and each year thereafter, |
26 | upon Federal approval of an amendment to the Medicaid State |
27 | plan, the Department of Public Welfare shall annually |
28 | distribute any available funds obtained under this act for |
29 | hospital health clinics through disproportionate share |
30 | payments to hospitals to provide financial assistance that |
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1 | will assure readily available and coordinated comprehensive |
2 | health care to the citizens of this Commonwealth. |
3 | (2) The Secretary of Public Welfare shall determine the |
4 | funds available and make appropriate adjustments based on the |
5 | number of qualifying hospitals with hospital health clinics. |
6 | (d) Maximization.--The Department of Public Welfare shall |
7 | seek to maximize any Federal funds, including funds obtained |
8 | under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 |
9 | U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.). |
10 | (e) Payment calculation.-- |
11 | (1) Thirty percent of the total amount available shall |
12 | be allocated to eligible hospital health clinics of hospitals |
13 | located in counties of the first and second class. The total |
14 | amount available for each hospital health clinic at a |
15 | hospital in these counties shall be allocated on the basis of |
16 | each hospital's percentage of medical assistance and low- |
17 | income hospital health clinic visits compared to the total |
18 | number of medical assistance and low-income hospital health |
19 | clinic visits for all hospitals in these counties. |
20 | (2) Fifty percent of the total amount available shall be |
21 | allocated to eligible hospital health clinics of hospitals |
22 | located in counties of the third, fourth and fifth class. The |
23 | total amount available for each hospital health clinic at a |
24 | hospital in these counties shall be allocated on the basis of |
25 | each hospital's percentage of medical assistance and low- |
26 | income hospital health clinic visits compared to the total |
27 | number of medical assistance and low-income hospital health |
28 | clinic visits for all hospitals in these counties. |
29 | (3) Twenty percent of the total amount available shall |
30 | be allocated to eligible hospital health clinics of hospitals |
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1 | located in counties of the sixth, seventh and eighth class. |
2 | The total amount available for each hospital health clinic at |
3 | a hospital in these counties shall be allocated on the basis |
4 | of each hospital's percentage of medical assistance and low- |
5 | income hospital health clinic visits compared to the total |
6 | number of medical assistance and low-income hospital health |
7 | clinic visits for all hospitals in these counties. |
8 | (4) Any hospital that has reached its disproportionate |
9 | share limit under Title XIX of the Social Security Act shall |
10 | receive its share of the State funds available under this |
11 | act. |
12 | (f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "low- |
13 | income" means under 200% of the Federal poverty income |
14 | guidelines. |
15 | Section 114. Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Fund. |
16 | (a) Establishment.--The Community-Based Health Care (CHC) |
17 | Fund is established in the State Treasury. |
18 | (b) Funding sources.--Funding sources for the fund shall |
19 | include all of the following: |
20 | (1) Transfers or appropriations to the fund. |
21 | (2) Money received from the Federal Government or other |
22 | sources. |
23 | (3) Money required to be deposited in the fund under |
24 | other provisions of this act or any other law. |
25 | (4) Investment earnings from the fund, net of investment |
26 | costs. |
27 | (c) Use.--The department shall utilize the fund to carry out |
28 | the program. |
29 | SUBCHAPTER C |
30 | TAX CREDIT |
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1 | Section 121. Scope of subchapter. |
2 | This subchapter deals with the community-based health care |
3 | clinic tax credit. |
4 | Section 122. Definitions. |
5 | The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter |
6 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
7 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
8 | "Business firm." An entity authorized to do business in this |
9 | Commonwealth and subject to taxes imposed under Article IV, VI, |
10 | VII, VIII, IX or XV of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), |
11 | known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. |
12 | "Contribution." A donation of cash or personal property by a |
13 | business firm to the Commonwealth. |
14 | "Department." Notwithstanding sections 102 and 113, the |
15 | Department of Community and Economic Development of the |
16 | Commonwealth. |
17 | Section 123. Establishment of program. |
18 | A community-based health care clinic tax credit program is |
19 | established in order to fund the Community-Based Health Care |
20 | (CHC) Program. |
21 | Section 124. Application. |
22 | (a) Application.--A business firm shall apply to the |
23 | department in a form and manner determined by the department for |
24 | a tax credit under section 125. |
25 | (b) Availability of tax credits.--Tax credits under this |
26 | subchapter shall be made available by the department on a first- |
27 | come, first-served basis within the limitations established |
28 | under section 126. |
29 | (c) Contributions.--A contribution shall be made no later |
30 | than 60 days following the approval of an application under |
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1 | subsection (a). |
2 | Section 125. Tax credit. |
3 | (a) Grant.--The Department of Revenue shall grant a tax |
4 | credit against any tax due under Article IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX |
5 | or XV of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the |
6 | Tax Reform Code of 1971, to a business firm that has applied |
7 | for, been approved for and made a contribution. In the taxable |
8 | year in which the contribution is made, the credit shall not |
9 | exceed 75% of the total amount contributed by the business firm. |
10 | The credit shall not exceed $100,000 annually per business firm. |
11 | (b) Expense.--All money received from business firms in |
12 | accordance with this subchapter shall be expended solely for |
13 | community-based health care clinics under Subchapter A. |
14 | Section 126. Limitations. |
15 | (a) Amount.--The total aggregate amount of all tax credits |
16 | approved under this subchapter shall not exceed $5,000,000 in a |
17 | fiscal year. |
18 | (b) Activities.--No tax credit shall be approved for |
19 | activities that are a part of a business firm's normal course of |
20 | business. |
21 | (c) Tax liability.--A tax credit granted for any one taxable |
22 | year may not exceed the tax liability of a business firm. |
23 | (d) Use.--A tax credit not used in the taxable year the |
24 | contribution was made may not be carried forward or carried back |
25 | and is not refundable or transferable. |
26 | Section 127. Report. |
27 | (a) Delivery.--The department shall provide a report to the |
28 | chair and minority chair of the Appropriations Committee of the |
29 | Senate, the chair and minority chair of the Public Health and |
30 | Welfare Committee of the Senate, the chair and minority chair of |
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1 | the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives and |
2 | the chair and minority chair of the Health and Human Services |
3 | Committee of the House of Representatives. |
4 | (b) Substance.--The report shall include: |
5 | (1) The total amount of the tax credits awarded. |
6 | (2) The total amount of the contributions from all |
7 | business firms. |
8 | (3) The total number of additional persons served |
9 | through the program due to contributions from business firms, |
10 | by county. |
11 | CHAPTER 51 |
12 | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
13 | Section 5101. Appropriations. |
14 | (a) Department of Health.--The sum of $35,000,000 from the |
15 | Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Fund is appropriated to the |
16 | Department of Health for the fiscal year July 1, 2009, to June |
17 | 30, 2010, to carry out the provisions of Subchapter B of Chapter |
18 | 1, with the exception of funding under section 113. |
19 | (b) Department of Public Welfare.--The sum of $10,000,000 |
20 | from the Community-Based Health Care (CHC) Fund is appropriated |
21 | to the Department of Public Welfare for the fiscal year July 1, |
22 | 2009, to June 30, 2010, to carry out the provisions of |
23 | Subchapter B of Chapter 1 and the funding of hospital health |
24 | clinics under section 113. |
25 | (c) Limitations on payments.--Payments to community-based |
26 | health care clinics for assistance under this act shall not |
27 | exceed the amount of funds available for the program, and any |
28 | payment under this act shall not constitute an entitlement from |
29 | the Commonwealth or a claim on any other funds of the |
30 | Commonwealth. |
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1 | Section 5102. Effective date. |
2 | This act shall take effect in 90 days. |
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