As part of an agreement struck between lawmakers and the state's hospitals for the medical centers to accept a new tax on patient revenue for the next three years, lawmakers have agreed to protect hospitals from "bills harmful to hospitals" for three years, according to a copy of a memo obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The memo, drawn up by the Georgia Hospital Association, the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals and Hometown Health -- which collectively represent every hospital in the state -- was agreed to by leadership in the House and Senate, a hospital association official confirmed. More at AJC