The proposal outlines a $44 million tax over two years on surgery centers that would draw down more federal money to pay back the centers, increase their state payments and help reduce the deficit by $21 million, according to the report.
Representatives from the Wisconsin Hospital Association, whose members operate some of the outpatient centers, have not taken a position on the measure. However, the proposal is similar to a tax on hospitals that is supported by the WHA and could increase inadequate payments that some centers receive to treat patients under the state’s Medicaid healthcare program.
A report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says that the hospital tax will also be increased to bring in more federal matching funds, and together the two taxes would raise $115 million in tax dollars.
Read the State Journal report on the Wisconsin surgery center tax.
