ATLANTA (AP) - A spokesman for Gov. Nathan Deal says the governor is proposing a plan that would allow lawmakers to avoid an explicit vote on whether to extend an expiring hospital industry tax that helps finance Georgia's health care system.
Deal spokesman Brian Robinson says the governor's floor leaders introduced legislation outlining the plan Monday.
Currently, hospitals pay an amount based on net patient revenue. That money is then used to generate federal support for the Medicaid insurance program for poor, disabled and older Georgians. The arrangement expires in June. That means lawmakers could have to choose between steep cuts to Medicaid or backing the renewal of a tax.
To avoid that scenario, Deal's proposal would shift control over any hospital assessment to the state's Board of Community Health.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
KDFW FOX 4 400 N. Griffin Street Dallas, Texas 75202
Main Station Directory: (214) 720-4444 News Fax: (214) 720-3263 or (214) 720-3333
