[20060509]98-968_Hill-Burton无偿服务计划.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-968Updated May 9, 2006The Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services ProgramBarbara EnglishInformation Research SpecialistKnowledge Services GroupSummaryThe Hospital Survey and Construction Act of 1946 (P.L. 79-725), commonlyknown as the Hill-Burton Act, was enacted to provide federal financial assistance for theplanning, construction, and improvement of health care facilities through grants, loans,and guaranteed loans under Title VI and later Title XVI of the Public Health ServiceAct. Since 1946, the Hill-Burton program has provided assistance to more than 6,900hospitals and other health care facilities in more than 4,000 communities.The original legislation stipulated that, in return for assistance, facilities wererequired to provide free care for 20 years to eligible persons unable to pay for healthcare services. Although there has not been any Title VI funding authority for theprogram since FY1974, many facilities that received Hill-Burton funds continue to havean obligation to provide a certain level of uncompensated care. Facilities funded underTitle XVI must provide