Bill > HB1653

This bill regulates transfer policies at Freestanding Hospital Emergency Facilities (FHEFs), which are hospital emergency departments located separately from their parent hospital. The bill ensures that patients receiving emergency medical care have the right to choose their transfer hospital when medically necessary, preventing hospitals from restricting transfers only to their affiliated facilities. Specifically, the bill requires FHEFs to provide patients or their legal representatives the opportunity to select a receiving hospital that can address their medical needs, and mandates that the patient's hospital choice be documented in their medical record. The legislation prohibits FHEFs from conditioning treatment on transferring to an affiliated hospital, engaging in coercive communication to limit transfer choices, or creating contracts with emergency medical services that encourage exclusive transfers to their parent hospital. If a patient cannot choose their transfer hospital, the FHEF must arrange transfer to the closest appropriate hospital. Violations of these provisions can be referred to the Department of Justice and treated as unfair or deceptive practices. The bill aims to protect patient safety, ensure continuity of care, and prevent anti-competitive practices in emergency medical transfers. The Department of Health and Human Services is required to develop interim rules by June 30, 2027, to implement these new regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2278&inflect=2