Bill > S761

This bill amends several sections of Massachusetts law related to hospital closures and health planning. Key provisions include: 1. Establishing a health planning council within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and update a statewide health plan, including identifying regional needs and resource capacities. 2. Requiring the health planning council to consider community-based health care resources when developing the state health plan. 3. Authorizing the health planning council to make recommendations for the appropriate supply and distribution of health care resources across the state and regions. 4. Allowing the health planning council's assessments and determinations to be used in the state's review of proposed hospital service discontinuations and closures. 5. Requiring greater data sharing among state agencies to support the health planning council's responsibilities. 6. Requiring the Health Policy Commission to review the impact of proposed hospital closures or service discontinuations, and to share its findings with the Department of Public Health. 7. Imposing various notice and approval requirements on hospitals seeking to discontinue essential health services or close entirely, including public hearings and plans for ensuring continued access to necessary services. 8. Establishing penalties for hospitals that close or discontinue essential services without proper approval.