HB132 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Mary MooreRod Scott

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Jefferson County, Indigent Care Fund, distrib. to Department of Public Health, Act 387, 1965 Reg Sess. am'd

Summary

The bill redirects Jefferson County's Indigent Care Fund to support health care for indigent residents through the Alabama Department of Public Health or a county health care authority, and sets aside money for capital improvements and administration.

What This Bill Does

Amends Section 14 of Act 387 (1965) to require the Indigent Care Fund to be used for delivering health care services to indigent county residents through ADPH or a county health care authority. Allows use of funds to acquire and operate a county hospital and related clinics, provide drugs and outpatient and emergency care, and help cover part of care costs for those who can only partially pay. Requires prenatal care registration and the recording of the father's name for indigent care cases, with a circuit solicitor collecting from the father and reporting progress for up to three years. Establishes rules on determining indigency and what may be collected. Mandates that at least 25% of the fund be set aside annually for capital improvements until a county hospital is built, and that 1% of the funds be distributed monthly to ADPH or the health care authority for administering the Indigent Care Fund. Names the hospital as Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.

Who It Affects

• Indigent residents of Jefferson County who receive health care services funded by the Indigent Care Fund
• Jefferson County Hospital facilities, the county health care authority, and the Alabama Department of Public Health
• Expectant mothers and their families in the county (via prenatal care registration and paternity documentation requirements)
• Circuit Solicitors and the governing authorities responsible for enforcement and administration of the fund

Key Provisions

• The Indigent Care Fund funds to be used by the county for health care services transferred to the Alabama Department of Public Health or a county health care authority
• Authority to acquire and operate a county hospital and related clinics, provide drugs, and run outpatient and emergency care, including partial cost sharing for eligible residents
• County designated indigent care hospital may operate under contracts with general hospitals and receive funds from the Indigent Care Fund; can collect from part-pay patients and other sources
• Prenatal care registration required for expectant mothers; record must include father’s name; circuit solicitor to collect from the father and report efforts for up to three years
• Rules on determining indigency and allowable collections to be set by the Department of Public Health
• At least 25% of the Indigent Care Fund each year to be set aside for capital improvements until a county hospital is built; 1% of funds distributed monthly to ADPH or the health care authority for administering the fund
• The hospital created under this act shall be known as Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor’s approval

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County