1. (a) The payer affordability penalty fund is established for the purpose of receiving fines collected under IC 16-21-6-3 , IC 27-1-4.5-7 , IC 16-21-6-13 , IC 16-21-19 , IC 27-1-46.5 , and IC 27-2-25.5 to be used for:

   1. (1) the state's share of the Medicaid program; and

   2. (2) a study of hospitals that are impacted by changes made in the disproportionate share hospital methodology payments set forth in Section 203 of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

      The office of the secretary shall perform the study and provide the results of the study described in subdivision (2) to the budget committee.

2. (b) The fund shall be administered by the office of the secretary.
3. (c) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund.
4. (d) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
5. (e) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
6. (f) Money in the fund is continually appropriated.

As added by P.L.203-2023, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.216-2025, SEC.2; P.L.239-2025, SEC.1; P.L.23-2026, SEC.81.