![Nathan Deal's proposal on "hospital bed tax" is moving swiftly through Georgia General Assembly.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ae/ec/1358480975_7665_bed.jpg?itok=_0ec9xbR "Nathan Deal's proposal on "hospital bed tax" is moving swiftly through Georgia General Assembly.")
The Senate Bill 24, the Hospital Medicaid Financing Program Act, passed Georgia Senate on Thursday 46-9, despite opposition from several Democrats.
S.B. 24 was introduced by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (R) just last week to replace the “hospital bed tax,” a controversial tax that keeps the state Medicaid program financially solvent.
The new legislation shifts the responsibility of levying the fee to the Department of Community Health (DSH) freeing Congress from the heated debate that would most likely take up most of the session.
Currently, the “bed tax” picks up a nearly $700 million tab for Medicaid in the state and is set to expire in June 2013.
S.B. 24 now moves on to the House of Representatives where House Speaker David Ralston already endorsed it.
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