Bill > S1270

This bill aims to further regulate hospitals in Massachusetts. It proposes the following key provisions: 1. The Department of Public Health (DPH) will annually determine which acute hospitals and hospital services are essential to protect the health of their communities, considering factors like availability, accessibility, and overall need. DPH will give particular consideration to the needs of low-income, uninsured, and other vulnerable residents. 2. DPH can petition the court to appoint a receiver to operate a hospital at risk of closing or reducing essential services in a way that could harm the community. Grounds for receivership include ensuring continued operation, maintaining needed services, protecting vulnerable residents, and safeguarding effective or low-cost facilities. 3. The receiver appointed by the court will have authority to manage the hospital, remedy violations, and make necessary repairs, with the goal of preventing closure or service reductions that could harm the community. The receiver can apply for financial assistance from the Essential Hospital Preservation Trust Fund. 4. The bill also establishes procedures and protections related to the receivership, such as automatic stays, limits on termination, and liability provisions for the receiver. 5. The DPH is directed to promulgate rules and regulations to implement these new hospital regulation and receivership provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1270