ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia hospitals would continue paying a tax that helps draw down $600 million in federal support for the Medicaid budget, under a bill headed to Gov. Nathan Deal.
The Republican governor called the extension a priority heading into the legislative session. The tax, called a provider fee by the state, expires June 30.
The House approved the extension on Friday, 152 votes in favor to 14 against.
Lawmakers first approved the tax in 2010, taxing a percentage of hospitals' net patient revenue to draw millions more in federal support for treating low-income residents.
Hospital organizations have been among the largest supporters of renewing the program.
The tax is expected to yield more than $300 million from hospitals, totaling more than $900 million with the matching federal support.
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