Bill > S1178

This bill establishes a special commission on local and regional public health, comprised of 21 members representing various state agencies, public health organizations, academic institutions, community health centers, hospitals, and municipalities of different sizes, along with legislative appointees. The commission's purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of public health systems in Massachusetts, compare local capacities to national standards from organizations like the CDC, assess current resources and workforce qualifications, and examine existing regional collaboration models. It will also review progress on past recommendations for regionalization and may gather public input. Ultimately, the commission will produce a report with findings and recommendations on organizational and fiscal models, resource sharing, data reporting, funding streams, and workforce development for public health in Massachusetts, with a final report due by July 31, 2017.