§ 20-77-116 - Medicare waiver to authorize high reimbursements in economically disadvantaged counties.
20-77-116. Medicare waiver to authorize high reimbursements in economically disadvantaged counties.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Certain economically disadvantaged counties in this state are in dire need of additional access to medical treatment;
(2) Improved access to medical treatment in economically disadvantaged counties can be achieved by offering incentives to physicians and health care facilities;
(3) If Medicare reimbursements were based on need for access to care rather than on cost of living, the resulting increase in Medicare reimbursements would make this state's economically disadvantaged counties more attractive to physicians and would allow healthcare facilities in those counties to upgrade their medical services; and
(4) As a result of increased Medicare reimbursements, more patients in economically disadvantaged counties would seek early medical treatment, thus reducing the severity of their medical conditions and the expense of treatment.
(b) It is the purpose of this section, 20-77-117, and 20-77-118 to seek an incentive whereby the number of physicians may be increased and the quality of health care facilities may be improved in this state's economically disadvantaged counties.