Bill > H2445

This bill modifies Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111 by updating requirements for hospital service closures. Specifically, the bill mandates that any hospital must notify the state's health department 90 days before closing the entire hospital or discontinuing any "essential health service". The health department is required to define what constitutes an "essential health service" through regulatory guidelines. If a hospital proposes to close an essential service, the department must conduct a public hearing to evaluate the potential impact. If the department determines that the proposed service closure would negatively affect healthcare access or health status in the hospital's service area, the department can prevent the closure of that essential service for a period of three years. This legislation aims to protect communities from losing critical medical services by providing a formal review process and potential intervention mechanism to preserve healthcare accessibility.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2445