House to debate hospital tax bill Friday

A bill extending a controversial fee on hospitals that props up the state’s Medicaid program could receive final passage Friday.

The House will consider Senate Bill 24, which would give the state’s community health agency power to levy the fee, commonly called the “bed tax.” The fee helps the state fill a nearly $700 million hole in the Medicaid budget.

Not passing the bill, supporters say, would limit access to critical care for thousands of Georgians. Anti-tax activists see the fee as tantamount to a tax increase, but even lawmakers who loathe extending or creating taxes say ending the fee would deal a devastating blow to Georgia’s health care system.