Adelson to propose statewide Fair Share Disproportionate Share Hospital Allocation Plan

Senator Tom Adelson announced plans to file a bill to require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to allocate Disproportionate Share Hospital Dollars based on the percentage of each hospital's Medicaid and charity care burden relative to the total statewide costs of inpatient uncompensated care.

The DSH program is a federal program that allows individual states to allocate DSH funds to safety net hospitals providing uncompensated care to the uninsured, the underinsured and Medicaid enrollees.

In light of several editorials at the Daily Oklahoman, there is concern that taxpayers not provide an unfair advantage to one particular hospital. My proposal will ensure equal treatment across the state in reimbursement for the provision of health services for the poor and uninsured.

"No hospital should have the exorbitant privilege of guaranteed cost reimbursement for Medicaid and charity care. My bill will guard the Oklahoma Health Care Authority from manipulating state and federal dollars to favor one hospital over another." Adelson said.