SB 503

This bill prohibits the Department of Health Services from certifying, and

requires DHS to decertify by July 1, 2022, a provider under the Medical Assistance

program that is a private entity that provides abortion services or is an affiliate of

a person that provides abortion services. The prohibition does not apply to any

hospital that terminates pregnancies under any of the following circumstances: the

termination is directly and medically necessary to save the life of the woman; the

pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or incest, which has been reported to law

enforcement; or the termination is, due to a medical condition existing prior to the

abortion, directly and medically necessary to prevent grave, long-lasting physical

health damage to the woman.

If DHS determines that it needs to request a waiver of federal law or a state plan

amendment or obtain other federal approval to implement this prohibition on

certification and requirement to decertify, the bill requires DHS to submit the

request or seek federal approval. Generally, under current law, DHS establishes

criteria for certifying providers to provide services under the Medical Assistance

program and certifies those providers. The Medical Assistance program is a joint

federal and state program administered by DHS that provides health services to

individuals who have limited financial resources.