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118262 1 (1982-04-30)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacsvl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: SUMMARY OF GAO TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE The Hill-Burton Program--the Nation's major health facility construction program--has provided about $5.9 billion in construction grants, direct loans, and loan guarantees since 1946. Certain conditions had to be met when facilities received Hill-Burton funds, including (1) providing a reasonable volume of uncompensated medical care and (2) making medical services available to all persons residing in the service area. Regulations implemented in 1979 substantially altered how facilities established compliance levels, determined eligibility, maintained records, and reported on levels of uncompensated care. Many problems followed, and the Department of Health and Human Services continues to have difficulty monitoring compliance, obtaining accurate compliance data from facilities, and investigating and resolving complaints in a timely manner. The large number of facilities, the limited staff resources, and the enormous workload generated by the 1979 regulations raise questions as to whether the Department can conduct the number of compliance assessments required to release facilities from their 20-year obligations or obtain up-to-date compliance infor- mation as required by the regulations. HHS had satisfactorily implemented most of GAO's 1979 recommendations to improve the administration of the Hill-Burton loan assistance program. GAO pointed out certain additional actions that HHS should take to further improve the program. 118262