Bill > H2013

This bill aims to improve health planning and public health by defining "Essential Health Services" as those necessary for public health in a region, determined by the State Health Planning Board based on factors like disease prevalence and population data. It mandates the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to create a state health plan every three years, including regional plans and essential services, and requires consultation with various state agencies like the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Attorney General's Office (AGO) when establishing or altering regions. The bill also requires providers to notify the HPC, the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA), and the AGO of any "material changes" to their operations or structure, such as mergers or acquisitions, at least 60 days in advance, allowing the HPC to review potential impacts on healthcare costs and market competition. Furthermore, hospitals must provide 120 days' notice before closing or discontinuing essential health services, with public hearings and plans to ensure continued access to necessary care, and new acute-care hospitals will need to submit a plan for community benefits, including essential health services, for approval. Finally, a task force will be established to study the feasibility of flexible hospital licensure requirements tied to regional health plans and patient safety, and to explore enhancing payments to community hospitals.