Bill > H2507

This bill directs the Department of Public Health (DPH) to commission a comprehensive study on access to essential health services in Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information Analysis. The study will examine the current state of essential health services in acute care and in-patient psychiatric hospitals, investigating aspects such as the number of beds and services in each region, hospital service discontinuations and closures since 1992, their impact on healthcare access, and projected service needs over the next decade. Specifically, the study will analyze hospital admission and discharge data, review compliance with service discontinuation plans, calculate regional service needs, examine financial conditions that might lead to service reductions, identify vulnerable health services, explore post-discharge service requirements, and review strategies from other states to maintain essential health services. The ultimate goal is to provide recommendations for policy changes that will ensure consistent access to essential health services across all regions of Massachusetts, with a particular focus on protecting services in financially vulnerable hospitals.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2507