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Moore’s bill seeks to maintain needed hospital beds |
| Reported favorably by Health Care Financing Committee |
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July 13, 2005 - Legislation eliminating an antiquated law that severely obstructs hospitals’ ability to provide timely and effective care by removing the automatic de-licensure of needed hospital beds was given a favorable report today. Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) is the lead sponsor of the Senate Bill 2141, An Act relative to Determination of Need for Hospital Beds. "I am glad to see this bill reported out of committee. Given the continued capacity problem that many hospitals are facing in all areas of services, this bill would safeguard access to health care services for citizens of the Commonwealth by assisting such hospitals to maintain needed hospital beds,” Senator Moore explained. Under the current law, when the occupancy rate of a hospital falls under a certain threshold, a number of beds must be “de-licensed” for at least a year. This bill repeals the outdated law and will give hospitals the flexibility to manage inpatient care. When a bed is needed in a short period of time, the hospital may chose to “re-activate” the bed for a patient who needs to be admitted. The bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration. More information on Senator Moore’s legislation can be obtained by checking his web site www.senatormoore.com. |
