1. The amended principles must provide for increased prospective interim payments paid on a regular schedule provided by rule.

2. The amended principles must provide for increased prospective payments to rural hospitals that are found to provide high-quality patient care, that implement cost-control initiatives, including collaboration with other hospitals to achieve cost savings, and that have been adversely affected by financial policies adopted and implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study the prospective interim payments payable to hospitals and to increase those payments to rural hospitals that provide high-quality care, implement cost-control initiatives and are adversely affected by new financial policies.