As used in the rural emergency hospital act:

(a) “Act” means the rural emergency hospital act.

(b) “Rural emergency hospital” means an establishment that:

(1) Meets the eligibility requirements described in Kan. Stat. Ann. 2023 Supp. 65-484, and amendments thereto;

(2) provides rural emergency hospital services;

(3) provides rural emergency hospital services in the facility 24 hours per day by maintaining an emergency department that is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, with a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant;

(4) has a transfer agreement in effect with a level I or level II trauma center; and

(5) meets such other requirements as the department of health and environment finds necessary in the interest of the health and safety of individuals who are provided rural emergency hospital services and to implement state licensure that satisfies requirements for reimbursement by federal healthcare programs as a rural emergency hospital.

(c) “Rural emergency hospital services” means the following services, provided by a rural emergency hospital, that do not require in excess of an annual per-patient average of 24 hours in such rural emergency hospital:

(1) Emergency department services and observation care; and

(2) at the election of the rural emergency hospital, for services provided on an outpatient basis, other medical and health services as specified in regulations adopted by the United States secretary of health and human services and authorized by the department of health and environment.

(d) “Secretary” means the secretary of health and environment.