Bill > H99

This bill amends Section 8A of Chapter 118E of the General Laws to redefine what constitutes a "sole community provider," which is a designation for an acute hospital. The new definition will include hospitals that meet the criteria for a sole community provider under federal Medicare regulations or under regulations created by the executive office. These executive office regulations will consider various factors such as a hospital's isolated location, weather and travel conditions, the proportion of patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and those receiving free care, and the lack of other easily reachable hospitals. Specifically, the bill clarifies that this definition will apply to hospitals located more than 20 miles driving distance from other acute hospitals in the state and that provide services to at least 60 percent of their primary service area.