reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 31-8-34 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2 - Hospital Care for Nonresident Indigents|§ 31-8-34. Maintenance of Records; Certification of Cost of Care; Determination of Amount of Fund

  Each hospital shall maintain accurate records of its cost of care for providing health care services for nonresident indigent patients. As soon as practicable after the close of each quarter of each fiscal year and within not more than 30 days after the close thereof, the chief administrative officer of each hospital shall certify to the commissioner the total cost of care incurred by the hospital in providing health care to nonresident indigent patients for the immediately preceding quarter.   For the 1980-81 fiscal year, the commissioner shall estimate the state-wide cost of care for nonresident indigent patients by annualizing the total amount shown on the first quarterly submissions to him under subsection (a) of this Code section of cost of care for nonresident indigent patients and by adjusting the annualized amount by a factor, not to exceed 10 percent of such amount, which the commissioner determines to be a reasonable estimate of anticipated increases in the cost of care for nonresident indigent patients.   For the 1981-82 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter, the commissioner shall estimate the state-wide cost of care for nonresident indigent patients by annualizing the total payments, as provided by Code Section 31-8-35, to hospitals from the fund during the first quarter of the immediately preceding fiscal year, adjusted by a factor which, based on the experience of the fund, the commissioner determines to be a reasonable estimate of anticipated increases or decreases in the cost of care for nonresident indigent patients; but no estimated increase in such cost shall exceed 10 percent of the annualized amount.    (Code 1933, § 88-2305a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1234, § 1.)
GA Code § 31-8-35 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2 - Hospital Care for Nonresident Indigents|§ 31-8-35. Payments From Fund to Hospitals

 For each fiscal year, beginning with the 1980-81 fiscal year, payments to hospitals for cost of care of nonresident indigent patients shall be made from the fund. Beginning with the certifications made after the close of the first quarter of the 1980-81 fiscal year, the quarterly certifications of cost of care for nonresident indigent patients made by hospitals pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 31-8-34 shall constitute requests for payments from the fund to reimburse such hospitals for the cost of care. Within 30 days after receiving any such request, the commissioner shall authorize the state treasurer to issue a check to the hospital submitting the request for the payment from the fund of the amount requested.   (Code 1933, § 88-2307a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1234, § 1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1402, § 18; Ga. L. 2010, p. 863, § 3/SB 296.)
GA Code § 31-8-36 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2 - Hospital Care for Nonresident Indigents|§ 31-8-36. State Appropriations to Fund

  For each fiscal year, beginning with the 1980-81 fiscal year, the commissioner shall make a request for appropriation of the amount determined under Code Section 31-8-34 as the state-wide cost of care for nonresident indigent patients in the budget of the Department of Community Health under the category: "Nonresident Indigent Health Care Fund." The budget shall cite this article as the authority for such request and shall make such additional explanation of the request as the commissioner deems appropriate.   In the event the General Assembly fails to appropriate funds in accordance with the budget request made pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section or fails to appropriate the full amount requested, the payments to hospitals under Code Section 31-8-35 shall be reduced pro rata in accordance with the amount actually available to the fund.    (Code 1933, § 88-2306a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1234, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-4/HB 228.)
GA Code § 31-8-37 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2 - Hospital Care for Nonresident Indigents|§ 31-8-37. Compliance With This Article Contingent Upon Appropriation

 On and after July 1, 1987, hospitals shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this article unless the General Assembly appropriates funds in an amount determined as the state-wide cost of care for nonresident indigent patients as provided for in Code Section 31-8-36.    (Code 1981, §31-8-37, enacted by Ga. L. 1987, p. 1494, § 3.)
GA Code § 31-8-40 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2A - Hospital Care for Pregnant Women|§ 31-8-40. Legislative Findings and Purpose

 The General Assembly finds that Georgia's high rates of infant mortality and morbidity are costly to the state in terms of human suffering and of expenditures for long-term institutionalization, special education, and medical care. It is well documented that appropriate care during pregnancy and delivery can prevent many of the expensive, disabling problems our children experience. The State of Georgia is making progress in improving services and funding. However, the General Assembly is concerned that some women continue to be refused service for financial reasons at hospitals when they request admission after labor has begun. It is the purpose of this article to assure that:    No hospital denies available, appropriate emergency services to a woman who has not made prior arrangements for the payment of the delivery and who seeks hospital care for the safe delivery of her child;   Counties assume a share of the responsibility in meeting this critical need for their residents who receive such care when no other source of payment from public or private sources is available; and   Women receiving such care and other persons specified in this article assume certain responsibilities with regard to payment for such care after it is rendered, but it is not the purpose of this article to establish a general health insurance program for all pregnant indigent women.     (Code 1981, §31-8-40, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3.)   Cross references.   - Safe place for newborns, T. 19, C. 10A.   Law reviews.   - For article, "State of Emergency: Why Georgia's Standard of Care in Emergency Rooms is Harmful to Your Health," see 45 Ga. L. Rev. 275 (2010). For annual survey of law on trial practice and procedure, see 62 Mercer L. Rev. 339 (2010).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS    Cited in Gliemmo v. Cousineau, 287 Ga. 7, 694 S.E.2d 75 (2010).
GA Code § 31-8-41 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2A - Hospital Care for Pregnant Women|§ 31-8-41. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Cost of care" means the cost of services rendered by a hospital for care required to be provided thereby under this article, and for services rendered by a physician in connection therewith, at the lesser of the actual charges or the reimbursement rate currently in effect for the hospital and physician under the medical assistance program for the needy under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. Section 1396, et seq.), as amended, but shall not include any portion of such cost which is paid by the indigent patient, by the spouse or a relative of the indigent patient, by the father of the child, by insurance, or by any governmental or other public agency pursuant to any federal, state, or local program paying cost of health care for indigent patients, other than the program established by this article. The Medicaid reimbursement rate for services under this article shall not be adjusted for outlier payment. Payments actually received by a hospital or physician, when made by the patient, the patient's spouse, family member, father of the patient's child, or by insurance, the medical assistance program for the needy, any similar federal, state, or local program, or any other third-party payor other than a county, shall constitute payment to the hospital or physician, respectively, of the payment amount so received and exclude that amount from the definition of "cost of care." When a hospital renders care to a woman who is not a resident of the county in which that hospital is located and that care is required to be provided under this article but there is within the county of residence of that woman a hospital which usually and customarily provides that care, "cost of care" means the lesser of the actual charges for the care actually rendered or the Medicaid reimbursement rate currently in effect for such care, which Medicaid reimbursement rate shall be that Medicaid rate for such care in the hospital of the woman's county of residence, unless there is more than one such hospital, in which event the rate shall be the average Medicaid rate for such care in all hospitals of the woman's county of residence.  (1.1) "Department" means the Department of Community Health.    "Hospital" means a hospital which is permitted to operate by the department pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 7 of this title.   "Indigency" means the inability of a patient or other person to pay the entire cost of care determined in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 31-8-43.   "Patient" means a pregnant woman who receives services under this article.   "Resident of the county" means a person who is domiciled in the county as determined pursuant to Chapter 2 of Title 19.     (Code 1981, §31-8-41, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 4-10/HB 214.)   Law reviews.   - For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 147 (2011).
GA Code § 31-8-42 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2A - Hospital Care for Pregnant Women|§ 31-8-42. Requirement of Hospitals With Emergency Services to Provide Care to Pregnant Women in Labor

 Any hospital which operates an emergency service shall be required to provide the appropriate, necessary emergency services to any pregnant woman who is a resident of this state and who presents herself in active labor to the hospital, if those services are usually and customarily provided in that facility, which services shall be provided within the scope of generally accepted practice based upon the information furnished the hospital by the pregnant woman, including such information as the pregnant woman reveals concerning her prenatal care, diet, allergies, previous births, general health information, and other such information as the pregnant woman may furnish the hospital. If, in the medical judgment of the physician responsible for the emergency service, the hospital must transfer the patient because the hospital is unable to provide appropriate treatment, the hospital where the patient has presented herself shall:    Within the capabilities of the hospital provide such emergency services as the circumstances require, which services shall be provided within the scope of generally accepted practice based upon the information furnished the hospital by the pregnant woman, including such information as the pregnant woman reveals concerning her prenatal care, diet, allergies, previous births, general health information, and other such information as the pregnant woman may furnish the hospital;   Contact an appropriate receiving hospital and notify such hospital that the patient is in transit;   Arrange suitable transportation for the patient if necessary; and   Send to the receiving hospital any available information on the patient's history and condition.  The transfer shall not be authorized until the physician considers the patient sufficiently stabilized for transport.      (Code 1981, §31-8-42, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3.)
GA Code § 31-8-44 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2A - Hospital Care for Pregnant Women|§ 31-8-44. Immunity of Hospital or Health Care Provider From Liability

 No physician, nurse, or other such medical assistant, nor the hospital or any of its agents or employees shall be guilty of malpractice or civilly liable therefor for treatment rendered under this article unless the physician, nurse, or other medical assistant, or the hospital, its agent, or employee has been grossly negligent in the provision of such services or has willfully failed to comply with the provisions of this article. No action shall be brought in connection with treatment rendered under this article without a specific allegation of gross negligence or willful failure to comply.    (Code 1981, §31-8-44, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3.)   Cross references.   - Actions for medical malpractice generally, § 51-1-27.
GA Code § 31-8-45 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2A - Hospital Care for Pregnant Women|§ 31-8-45. Availability of Cause of Action for Patient Wrongfully Denied Care

 If a hospital fails or refuses to provide treatment or services pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 31-8-42, a person aggrieved by such failure or refusal shall have a cause of action against the hospital for damages and for such other relief as the court having jurisdiction of the action deems proper. No person shall be prohibited from maintaining such an action for failure to exhaust any rights to administrative relief.    (Code 1981, §31-8-45, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3.)
GA Code § 31-8-46 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 2A - Hospital Care for Pregnant Women|§ 31-8-46. Investigation; Penalties; Rules and Regulations

  If the department receives notice that a violation by a hospital of Code Section 31-8-42 is in progress, the department shall immediately order an investigation to determine whether or not there has been a violation and upon finding that a violation has occurred shall immediately order the hospital to comply with that Code section.   If a hospital violates Code Section 31-8-42, the department shall assess a civil penalty of $500.00 for each such violation. Any such civil penalty shall be imposed by the department only after notice and hearing as provided in Article 1 of Chapter 5 of this title. Any person or facility subject to a civil penalty under this Code section is entitled to judicial review in accordance with Article 1 of Chapter 5 of this title. All civil penalties recovered by the department under this Code section shall be paid into the general fund of the state treasury.   Any hospital held to be in violation of Code Section 31-8-42 more than three times within any 12 month period shall be subject to suspension or revocation of license by the Department of Community Health.   The Department of Community Health is authorized and directed to promulgate appropriate rules and regulations for the enforcement of this article.   Nothing in this article shall be construed to preempt any other law or to deny to any individual any rights or remedies which are provided by or under any other law.     (Code 1981, §31-8-46, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1389, § 1; Ga. L. 1985, p. 829, § 3; Ga. L. 2008, p. 12, § 2-27/SB 433; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 1-4/HB 228.)
GA Code § 31-8-50 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 3 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program|§ 31-8-50. Declaration of Policy

 The General Assembly finds that a significant number of older citizens of this state reside in long-term care facilities in this state and, because of their isolated and vulnerable condition, are more dependent on others for their protection and care. It is the intent of the General Assembly to protect and improve the quality of care and life for residents through the promotion of community involvement in long-term care facilities and by the establishment of a process to resolve complaints and problems of residents. It is the further intent of the General Assembly that the department, within available resources and pursuant to its duties under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, ensure that the quality of care and life for such residents is maintained, that necessary reports are made and that, where necessary, corrective action is taken at the departmental level.   (Code 1933, § 88-1902a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1.)
GA Code § 31-8-51 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 3 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program|§ 31-8-51. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Community ombudsman" means a person certified as a community ombudsman pursuant to Code Section 31-8-52.  (1.1) "Department" means the Department of Human Services.    "Long-term care facility" means any skilled nursing home, intermediate care home, private home care provider, assisted living community, or personal care home now or hereafter subject to regulation and licensure by the Department of Community Health.   "Resident" means any person who is receiving treatment or care in any long-term care facility who seeks admission to such facility or who has been discharged or transferred from such facility.   "State ombudsman" means the state ombudsman established under Code Section 31-8-52.    (Code 1933, § 88-1901a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 2-16/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 227, § 18/SB 178; Ga. L. 2014, p. 477, § 1/SB 207.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2009, "Department of Community Health" was substituted for "department" in paragraph (2).
GA Code § 31-8-52 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 3 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program|§ 31-8-52. Establishment of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

 Pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965 (P.L. 89-73, 79 Stat. 219), as amended, and as a condition of receiving funds under that act for various programs for older citizens of this state, the Department of Human Services has been required to establish and operate a long-term care ombudsman program. In order to receive such funds, the department has already established a position of state ombudsman within the state Office of Special Programs. The state ombudsman shall be under the direct supervision of the commissioner of human services or his or her designee and shall be given the powers and duties hereafter provided by this article. The state ombudsman shall be a person qualified by training and experience in the field of aging or long-term care, or both. The state ombudsman shall promote the well-being and quality of life of residents in long-term care facilities and encourage the development of community ombudsman activities at the local level. The state ombudsman may certify community ombudsmen and such certified ombudsmen shall have the powers and duties set forth in Code Sections 31-8-54 and 31-8-55. The state ombudsman shall require such community ombudsmen to receive appropriate training as determined and approved by the department prior to certification. Such training shall include an internship of at least seven working days in a nursing home and at least three working days in a personal care home. Upon certification, the state ombudsman shall issue an identification card which shall be presented upon request by community ombudsmen whenever needed to carry out the purposes of this article. Two years after first being certified and every two years thereafter, each such community ombudsman, in order to carry out his or her duties under this article, shall be recertified by the state ombudsman as continuing to meet the department's standards as community ombudsman.   (Code 1933, § 88-1903a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1239, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 2-2/HB 228; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 5-13/HB 214.)   Law reviews.   - For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 147 (2011).
GA Code § 31-8-53 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 3 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program|§ 31-8-53. Duties of State Ombudsman

 The state ombudsman shall:    Establish policies and procedures, subject to approval by the commissioner of human services, for receiving, investigating, referring, and attempting to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities concerning any act, omission to act, practice, policy, or procedure that may adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of any resident;   Investigate and make reports and recommendations to the department and other appropriate agencies concerning any act or failure to act by any government agency with respect to its responsibilities and duties in connection with long-term care or residents of long-term care facilities;   Establish a uniform state-wide reporting system to record data about complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities and shall collect and analyze such data in order to identify significant problems affecting the residents of such facilities;   Promote the development of community ombudsmen activities and provide technical assistance as necessary; and   Make an annual written report, documenting the types of complaints and problems reported by residents, to the director of the Office of Special Programs for his recommendations to the commissioner concerning needed policy and regulatory and legislative changes.    (Code 1933, § 88-1904a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 94, § 31; Ga. L. 2009, p. 453, § 2-4/HB 228.)
GA Code § 31-8-54 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 31 - Health|Chapter 8 - Care and Protection of Indigent and Elderly Patients|Article 3 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program|§ 31-8-54. Duties of Community Ombudsmen

 Pursuant to policies and procedures established by the state ombudsman, the community ombudsmen shall:    Learn about the general conditions affecting residents of long-term care facilities and work for the best interest of these residents;   Receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities;   Collect data about the number and types of complaints handled; and   Report regularly to the state ombudsman about the data collected and the activities of the community ombudsmen.    (Code 1933, § 88-1905a, enacted by Ga. L. 1979, p. 1240, § 1.)