HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 591        FILED ON: 1/10/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Margaret R. Scarsdale

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act preserving access to hospital services.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 591        FILED ON: 1/10/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2143 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act preserving access to hospital services.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end of section 51G the following new section:

(7) The department, in conjunction with other state departments or agencies, shall promulgate regulations creating a process for state receivership for any hospital or free-standing clinic that provides essential health services and (a) closes without providing the required 90-day notice or (b) closes a hospital or free-standing clinic following a determination by the department that a closure would constitute a  discontinuation of services necessary for preserving access and health status in the hospital or free-standing clinic’s service area. These regulations shall include a mechanism and source for funding said receivership.