On Tuesday House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announced that Georgia’s Rural Hospital annual tax credit had, for the first time, reached its $60 million donation cap.
Aided by HB 769, the rural healthcare bill championed by both Cagle and Ralston, that $60 million total will go toward aiding the state’s 58 poorest rural hospitals, a key priority for the state legislature in recent years.
The Rural Healthcare 180 Taskforce and Qualified Rural Hospital Organization Expense Tax Credit offer tax credits directly in exchange for donations to one of the 58 hospitals listed by the state. HB 769 encourages donation by offering credit on up to 100% of state income tax liabilities through FY 2021. That uptick in percentage, (up from 70% and 90% in recent years) proved enough to boost donations all the way to the cap. Under the bill each hospital’s total amount receivable is $4 million.
Said Ralston on the news, “The General Assembly remains focused on ensuring quality healthcare is accessible in every corner of our state – including our rural communities.
I am proud to represent a rural area of Georgia in the House of Representatives. I know the hardships that rural healthcare providers can face, and I remain committed to working with Governor Deal and Lt. Governor Cagle to support rural providers as they adapt to the changing economics of the healthcare industry.”
