Speech #930298168

The House authorized $278 million for these programs. the Senate had $640 million and the conference compromised with only $303 million. Fourth. Migrant health programs.The House bill and the Senate amendment contained provisions for the support of migrant health centers and other migrant health programs which were very similar in their intent although somewhat different in their details. These were merged Into a combined provision. The House bill authorized $105 million for the programs. the Senate amendment had $801 million and the conference compromise has $155 million. Under the provisions of the conference substitute provision is made for payment by migrant and community health centers for supplemental services including inpatient care. It is the intent of the conferees that in those few instances where the Secretary determines that an inpatient care facilitys financial stability is threatened by providing services to referrals from community health centers who lack adequate third party coverage. the level of reimbursement shall be established at rates high enough to amortize the added costs of operation. Such support is intended to continue only until arrangements can be made by the policymaking board of the center with another facility to provide such services. or. in those cases where no facility is available. only so long as the facility is making a good faith effort to maximize thirdparty collections.