GEOGRAPHIC RECLASSIFICATION FOR CERTAIN DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE HOSPITALS.

SEC. 4409. GEOGRAPHIC RECLASSIFICATION FOR CERTAIN DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE HOSPITALS. (a) New Guidelines for Reclassification.—Notwithstanding the guidelines published under section 1886(d)(10)(D)(i)(I) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(10)(D)(i)(I)), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish and use alternative guidelines under which a hospital described in subsection (b) qualities for geographic reclassification under such section for a fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 1998. (b) Hospitals Covered.—A hospital described in this subsection is a hospital that demonstrates that— (1) the average hourly wage paid by the hospital is not less than 108 percent of the average hourly wage paid by all other hospitals located in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (or the New England County Metropolitan Area) in which the hospital is located; (2) not less than 40 percent of the adjusted uninflated wages paid by all hospitals located in such Area is attributable to wages paid by the hospital; and (3) the hospital submitted an application requesting reclassification for purposes of wage index under section 1886(d)(10)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(10)(C)) in each of fiscal years 1992 through 1997 and that such request was approved for each of such fiscal years.