Jeff Bingaman: “the issue to which this study will give the answer is the question of whether disproportionate share hospitals that are…”

“the issue to which this study will give the answer is the question of whether disproportionate share hospitals that are the same net hospitals, that serve many of the individuals who would not have any health insurance, should continue to receive the DSH payments we have legislated they are entitled to, even after this prescription drug legislation becomes law. I strongly believe they should. My amendment was intended to ensure they receive those payments. I fear the system we are adopting, which will move people into preferred provider organizations, will in fact reduce the payments to these disproportionate share hospitals, which I don't believe is the purpose or the intention of the Senate. That is the issue. I urge my colleagues to support the study to give an answer as to whether that problem exists.”