UMC could lose more money under new law

Wednesday, March 5, 2003 | 9:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Clark County officials are worried that the already financially strapped county hospital could get even less federal money under a proposed new funding formula for indigent care.

Senate Bill 235, introduced by the Senate Human Resources and Facilities Committee, would change the way money is divvied up for hospitals that treat poor patients.

Hospitals now contribute money to the state, which uses those dollars as match money to obtain federal funds. The state then distributes the extra money back to the hospitals. Hospitals in Clark County have had a long-standing dispute over which institutions are entitled to how much of the money.

Under the current formula, Clark County contributes $52 million and the county-owned University Medical Center gets $66 million in return. But Mike Alastuey, a lobbyist for Clark County, said the bill changes the contribution rate so that hospitals in rural Nevada don't have to contribute. "We have some concerns that the overall amount going to UMC appears to be declining," Alastuey said. "It appears the state expects Clark County to pay virtually the entire amount for all the hospitals in the state. This poses a fair share concern for us."

Alastuey said he has not had a chance to thoroughly examine the bill introduced Tuesday and is willing to work with legislators "to make some improvements."

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, chairman of the human resources committee, said the bill is a "work in progress" and he expects changes will be made. The bill was referred to his committee for study.