SECTION1. Section 8A of Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “sole community provider” and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

“Sole community provider”, any acute hospital which qualifies as a sole community provider under Medicare regulations or under regulations promulgated by the executive office.  Those regulations shall consider factors including, but not limited to, isolated location, weather conditions, travel conditions, percentage of Medicare, Medicaid and free care provided and the absence of other reasonably accessible hospitals in the area; provided, that such hospitals shall include those which are located more than 20 miles driving distance from other such hospitals in the commonwealth and which provide services for at least 60 per cent of their primary service area.