(305 ILCS 5/14-12.7)
    Sec. 14-12.7. Public critical access hospital stabilization program.
    (a) In order to address the growing challenges of providing stable access to healthcare in rural Illinois, by October 1, 2023, the Department shall adopt rules to implement for dates of service on and after January 1, 2024, subject to federal approval, a program to provide at least $3,500,000 in annual financial support to public, critical access hospitals in Illinois, for the delivery of perinatal and obstetrical or gynecological services, behavioral healthcare services, including substance use disorder services, telehealth services, and other specialty services.
    (b) The funding allocation methodology shall provide added consideration to the services provided by qualifying hospitals designated by the Department of Public Health as a perinatal center.
    (c) Public critical access hospitals qualifying under this Section shall not be eligible for payment under subsection (o) of Section 5A-12.7 of this Code.
    (d) As used in this Section, "public critical access hospital" means a hospital designated by the Department of Public Health as a critical access hospital and that is owned or operated by an Illinois Government body or municipality.
(Source: P.A. 103-102, eff. 6-16-23.)