Bill > S1466

This bill aims to protect essential health services by amending the existing law in Massachusetts. It requires hospitals proposing to close or discontinue an essential health service to include specific information in their notification, such as the reasons for the proposed closure, an analysis of the economic feasibility and clinical safety of retaining the service, and the potential threats to public health and safety. The bill also grants the Department of Public Health the authority to deny a proposed discontinuance of an essential health service if it can be retained in a clinically safe manner without depriving the hospital of a fair net operating income. Additionally, the Department may require the retention of a hospital proposed for closure if it can be retained in a clinically safe manner and without depriving the entity that owns or controls the hospital of a fair net operating income.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1466