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A bill to designate 'rural emergency hospitals' in Florida is sent to DeSantis

FILE - Patients are seen waiting in an emergency room. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, file)
Paul Beaty/ASSOCIATED PRESS
/
FR36811 AP
FILE - Patients are seen waiting in an emergency room. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, file)

The Legislature sent at least 27 healthcare bills to the governor.

A bill that creates a new category of ‘rural emergency hospitals’ in Florida is awaiting the governor’s signature.

The Legislature sent the measure (SB 644) over to the governor’s office Tuesday. If approved, rural hospitals will be eligible to receive additional federal funding.

“The intent was to give rural hospitals another option in the event that they are struggling financially," said Mary Mayhew, the President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.

Since last year, emergency care facilities in rural communities have been taking advantage of a federal program that gives rural hospitals extra money for the services they provide to low-income patients who have Medicaid insurance coverage. But states must first grant them a license to operate as a rural emergency hospital.

Gurnys stand idle in the emergency room of the old Cook County Hospital on Monday, June 30, 2003. The Florida legislature are looking for ways to improve access to emergency medical treatment in rural areas. The proposal, however, would remove certain services given to patients, in return for a higher reimbursement check from the federal government (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)
BRIAN KERSEY/ASSOCIATED PRESS
/
AP
Gurnys stand idle in the emergency room of the old Cook County Hospital on Monday, June 30, 2003. The Florida legislature are looking for ways to improve access to emergency medical treatment in rural areas. The proposal, however, would remove certain services given to patients, in return for a higher reimbursement check from the federal government (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

Under SB 644, hospitals must provide emergency and observation care and outpatient services that that do not exceed a length of stay of 24 hours.

That’s important for Gadsden County Commissioner Brenda Holt, who lost her child years ago to heart failure.

“Any parent that lives this far from a hospital has some major concerns and they should," explained Holt. "You’re paying your taxes, you’re doing everything—so why can't we have good health care.”

The law goes into effect on July 1.

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.