There shall be a special commission to make an investigation and study relative to the capital needs of the community hospital sector with regard to use of technology and adequacy of facilities, the ability of the sector to meet the health care needs of the general population in the next decade and potential sources of capital to meet those needs. The commission shall also evaluate the role of public programs, payments and regulations in supporting capital accumulation and make recommendations to advance the ability of the community hospital sector to meet the expected demand. The commission shall be comprised of the secretary of health and human services, the commissioner of health care finance and policy, the secretary of administration and finance, a representative of the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals, a representative of the Massachusetts Hospital Association, a representative of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, a representative of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts health and educational facilities authority, the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts development finance agency, the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on health care financing, a member of the house of representatives who shall be chosen by the minority leader, a member of the senate who shall be chosen by the minority leader, a chief elected local official with a community hospital located in said community who shall be appointed by the governor, an individual knowledgeable about demographic trends and hospital utilization who shall be appointed by the governor and an individual knowledgeable about hospital finance and construction who shall be appointed by the governor. The commission shall hold hearings and file a report with the clerks of the house and senate not later than December 31, 2011.
Establishes a special commission to study the financial needs of community hospitals, with a focus on use of technology, maintaining adequate facilities, meeting the health care needs of the general population in the next decade and determining potential sources of capital to meet those needs. The commission is also directed to evaluate the role of public programs, payments, and regulations in supporting capital accumulation, and make recommendations to the legislature to advance the ability of community hospitals to meet the expected demand. The commission must hold hearings as part of its investigation and submit its findings in a report to the legislature by December 31, 2011.
Session Law added by Section 60 of Chapter 288 of the Acts of 2010; last amended by section 115 of Chapter 359 of the Acts of 2010