Bill > S893

This bill makes several key changes to Massachusetts healthcare regulations. First, it modifies Section 11 of Chapter 12C by replacing the word "may" with "shall", which strengthens the mandatory nature of a certain administrative action. Second, the bill allows the center (likely referring to a state healthcare administrative body) to create regulations defining "just cause" for an unspecified purpose. Most significantly, the bill introduces a restriction on hospital licensing, specifically prohibiting for-profit entities from obtaining or renewing licenses to establish or maintain acute-care hospitals if they become successors to non-profit hospitals through sales, leases, mergers, or other property transfers after April 1, 2024. This provision appears designed to protect non-profit hospitals from being converted to for-profit institutions, potentially preserving their mission-driven approach to patient care and potentially maintaining more affordable healthcare services. The bill seems aimed at maintaining the integrity of non-profit healthcare institutions and ensuring more transparent and accountable healthcare cost reporting.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S893