Protecting Healthcare Access: New Rules for Hospital Closures and Service Cuts.
This law establishes new requirements for hospitals planning to close or discontinue services, ensuring patients are protected from sudden loss of critical healthcare access. Hospitals must provide 90 days' notice and submit a mitigation plan, especially if essential services are affected. Citizens gain the right to public comment, and federal authorities can mandate delays until alternative care is secured.
Key points
Hospitals must notify federal authorities at least 90 days before closing or significantly cutting services, allowing time to arrange alternatives.
Hospitals must submit a plan detailing how they will maintain access to "essential services" (e.g., services without nearby equivalents) for affected communities.
A mandatory public comment period is introduced, allowing citizens and local groups to provide input on the impact of the closure.
Hospitals violating these rules face penalties, including potential exclusion from the Medicare program for up to three years.
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