The nine hospitals allegedly made improper deals to elicit federal matching funds, according to the report. Under CMS’ Sole Community Provider Program, hospitals can get roughly $3 in federal funds for every $1 county governments contribute to cover indigent care.
This money must come from counties though — not private entities. Reviews were launched on the hospitals’ deals after a lawsuit was filed, claiming facilities sought to get the most out of the federal program by making side deals with county governments.
As a result of these alleged improper deals, New Mexico will surrender roughly $8 million in contributions made by New Mexico counties to leverage the SCP funds in fiscal year 2012. As a result, the state will lose the opportunity to have those funds matched on the 3-to-1 ratio.
The New Mexico hospitals that CMS claims violated the rules through various improper deals include: Alta Vista Medical Center in Las Vegas; Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming; Lea Regional Medical Center in Hobbs; Carlsbad (N.M.) Medical Center; Eastern New Mexico Medical Hospital in Roswell; Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamagordo; Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup; Clovis (N.M.) High Plains Hospital; and Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe.
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