SB573 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mark Slade Blackwell
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Jefferson County, Indigent Care Fund, distrib. to authority created in Class 1 municipality for health care, county commission to sell Cooper Green Hospital, Act 387, 1965 Reg Sess. am'd
Summary: The bill would move the county's Indigent Care Fund money to a health care authority created in Class 1 municipalities and require Jefferson County to sell Cooper Green Mercy Hospital to that authority.
What This Bill Does
It amends the 1965 Act to allow Indigent Care Fund proceeds to be used by a Class 1 municipality health care authority for operating hospitals, clinics, and related services for indigent residents. It also requires Jefferson County to transfer ownership of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital and its assets to that authority, with the sale price based on three regional appraisals. The bill includes rules for care funding, cost-sharing, and collection practices (including paternity and prenatal care requirements) and directs at least 25% of the fund to capital improvements until a county hospital is built and equipped.

Who It Affects
Indigent county residents who would receive care through the new health care authority and related county health facilities.
The Health Care Authority created in Class 1 municipalities, Jefferson County (including Cooper Green Mercy Hospital staff and management), and the county government, which would oversee funding, operation, and the hospital transfer.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 14 of Act 387 of the 1965 Regular Session to direct Indigent Care Fund proceeds to the health care authority in Class 1 municipalities for operating health care services.
Allows the fund to acquire and operate county hospitals, clinics, and emergency clinics, provide care and drugs for indigent and some paid care, and contract with general hospitals in the county.
Permits collection from part-pay patients and other funding sources; includes prenatal care and paternity reporting requirements administered by the hospital and solicitor.
Requires earmarking at least 25% of the Indigent Care Fund each year for capital improvements until a county hospital is constructed and fully equipped.
Section 2: Jefferson County must sell Cooper Green Mercy Hospital and its assets to the Class 1 municipality health care authority, with the sale price based on the average of three regional appraisals by health care valuation experts.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Jefferson County