By Abigail Hasebroock | ahasebroock@sunsentinel.com | South Florida Sun Sentinel

Palm Beach County took steps to secure what it could the day before President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill was lifted toward a final passage Thursday.

County commissioners on Wednesday held an emergency meeting to allow county hospitals flexibility in receiving reimbursement on Medicaid expenses by approving an annual special assessment to be the highest allowed rate.

“In order to maximize the opportunity for Palm Beach County hospitals to receive additional Medicaid funding in support of treating patients and improving outcomes, the current budget bill moving through Congress provides for this additional funding only if certain steps are taken by this board prior to the federal budget passage, which essentially entails raising the current maximum amount which hospitals are assessed in order to receive a greater match from the federal government,” Assistant County Administrator Reginald Duren said during the meeting.

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