The state\u2019s 26 county hospitals would have more flexibility in making major purchases under a bill discussed during a Health and Human Services Committee hearing Feb. 13.<\/p>\n
LB995, introduced by Elk Creek Sen. Lavon Heidemann, would authorize county hospitals to operate in a manner similar to their peer hospitals. Heidemann said he introduced the bill to foster healthy competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of uncertainty with the federal health care mandate,\u201d Heidemann said. \u201cIt\u2019s necessary for county hospitals to remain competitive with their peers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill would allow county hospitals to:
\n\u2022 encumber hospital property;
\n\u2022 obtain a line of credit or borrow money;
\n\u2022 make improvements and additions to facilities with county board approval;
\n\u2022 participate in group purchasing organizations for large items; and
\n\u2022 open clinics in communities outside of their jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
County board approval would be necessary for any projects costing more than 50 percent of the replacement cost of the facility. Use of general bonds to fund new projects would require a public vote.<\/p>\n
Marty Fattig, Nemaha County Hospital CEO, testified in support of the bill, saying that local control of county hospitals is necessary to remain competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince hospitals are owned by the county, they should be operated by the county,\u201d Fattig said. \u201cWe need to be able to compete on an equal level with other facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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