Bill > S1199

This bill amends Section 51G of Chapter 111 of the Massachusetts General Laws to establish new requirements for hospitals seeking to close or discontinue essential health services. Key provisions include: - Hospitals must provide at least 30 days' notice to various stakeholders, including patient/family councils, staff, labor organizations, state legislators, and local officials, before notifying the Department of Public Health (DPH) of their intent to close an essential service. - Hospitals must provide a detailed account of any community engagement and planning that occurred prior to filing the closure notice with DPH, as well as other information required by the Commissioner. - Hospitals must provide evidence of support or non-opposition from municipalities served by the essential service. - DPH must determine whether the discontinued service is necessary for preserving access and health status in the hospital's service area, and require the hospital to submit a plan to ensure continuing access to such necessary services. - The plan must include the creation of a community oversight committee to monitor its execution. - No new acute-care hospital license shall be granted unless the applicant submits a plan, approved by DPH, for the provision of community benefits and essential health services. - If a hospital discontinues an essential service without DPH approval, the Attorney General can seek an injunction to require the service be maintained, and the hospital may be ineligible for certain applications for three years.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1199