The City of Phoenix is acting to help its hospitals serve the uninsured. From Phoenix, KJZZ's Dennis Lambert has more.

DENNIS LAMBERT: Mayor Greg Stanton says the action is needed to help Valley hospitals weather the storm of unreimbursed costs, which at many hospitals have more than doubled over hte last few years. At nonprofit Banner Good Samaritan, charity care has gone from $39.5 million in 2009 to a projected $90.6 million this year. Under the Phoenix Access to Care Ordinance, participating hospitals will contribute one dollar to get two dollars in federal matching money. Stanton says the measure could be a model for other cities, but that Phoenix taxpayers will not feel the impact.

GREG STANTON: This is an assessment upon hospitals. They can't even pass the assessment on to their patients. It legally enables them to create a pool of money that they can draw down federal dollars.

LAMBERT: The proposed ordinance now begins a 60-day approval process. Formal city council approval of hte measure is expected in early December.

Updated 10/5/2012 at 9:35 a.m.