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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-05-12

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill directs North Carolina's Medicaid program to stop reimbursing facility fees charged by hospitals and health care providers, except when services are provided on a hospital's main campus, at facilities with emergency departments, or at ambulatory surgical centers. The bill defines key terms like facility fees, campus boundaries, and related facilities, and includes a sunset provision allowing the changes to expire after June 30, 2027, unless the state chooses to continue them.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that limiting facility fee reimbursements reduces unnecessary costs in the Medicaid program, which saves taxpayer money and state resources.
• •They contend that facility fees are often charged as separate charges on top of professional fees for the same services, and restricting them to main campuses and emergency facilities prevents hospitals from charging these additional fees at satellite locations where overhead costs may be lower, making the program more efficient.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents worry that restricting facility fee reimbursements could limit patient access to convenient outpatient services at hospital-affiliated clinics and facilities located away from main campuses.
• •They argue that facility fees help hospitals cover legitimate operational costs for staffing, equipment, and infrastructure at these satellite locations, and that limiting reimbursement may force hospitals to consolidate services back to main campuses or reduce the availability of care in underserved areas.