HB431 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Oliver RobinsonRod ScottMary Moore

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

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

Summary

This bill would amend Jefferson County's Indigent Care Fund so proceeds go to the Alabama Department of Public Health to deliver health care to indigent residents and would authorize related hospital and clinic operations.

What This Bill Does

It directs that all funds in the Indigent Care Fund be used for purposes transferred to ADPH or a local health care authority to provide health care services to indigent people in the county. It allows ADPH or the local health care authority to acquire and operate hospitals, clinics, and emergency services, and to furnish drugs, with the county helping cover part of the cost for those who can pay. It establishes rules for the designated indigent care hospital to provide treatment at county facilities or under contract with other hospitals, and to collect payments from part‑pay patients; it also includes prenatal care registration and paternity reporting to help recover costs, with time limits. It requires at least 25% of the fund be set aside for capital improvements (until a county hospital is built and equipped) and directs that 1% of the funds be distributed monthly to ADPH or the health care authority for administering the fund, with the hospital referred to as Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Indigent residents of Jefferson County, who would receive health care services funded by the Indigent Care Fund through county hospitals, clinics, or the health care authority.
• Jefferson County government and the Alabama Department of Public Health (and any health care authority) responsible for managing, distributing, and administering the fund and overseeing related hospital operations.

Key Provisions

• Funds in the Indigent Care Fund must be used for purposes transferred to the Alabama Department of Public Health or a county health care authority to deliver health care services to indigent county residents.
• ADPH or the health care authority may acquire and operate a county hospital, clinics, and emergency services, and furnish drugs; the county may help pay part of the care costs for those who cannot pay in full.
• The designated indigent care hospital can provide treatment at county facilities or under contract with other hospitals approved by accreditation bodies.
• The county hospital may collect payments from part-pay patients and other sources; the hospital must implement prenatal care registration and collect paternity information, with the Circuit Solicitor pursuing paternity and support when indicated and reporting efforts for up to three years.
• At least 25% of the Indigent Care Fund must be earmarked each year for capital improvements, with this requirement ending once the county hospital is constructed and fully equipped; 1% of funds must be distributed monthly to ADPH or the health care authority for administering the fund.
• The hospital created under this act will be named Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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