Bill > S693

This bill makes several key changes related to hospital closures and health planning in Massachusetts: 1. It establishes a Health Planning Council within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and update a state health plan, which will identify healthcare needs and resources across 15 regional planning areas. 2. It requires the Health Policy Commission to review the impact of any proposed hospital closure or discontinuation of an essential health service, and to share information with the Department of Public Health. 3. It mandates that the Center for Health Information and Analysis identify hospitals at risk of closure or service discontinuation, and report this information regularly to state officials. 4. It imposes new requirements on hospitals to provide notice and develop plans for assuring continued access to essential health services before closing or discontinuing such services. Hospitals that fail to comply may face penalties and licensing restrictions. 5. It increases penalties for hospitals that close or discontinue essential services without proper planning and approval. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the state's oversight and planning for changes to the healthcare system, with a focus on preserving access to essential services, particularly in underserved regions.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S693