Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to clarify the regulations surrounding the closure of hospitals or the curtailment of their services in Minnesota. It requires more structured communication and planning when hospitals plan to change their operations, ensuring continued public awareness and access to essential health services.

Main Provisions

• Advance Notice: Hospitals must provide a notice at least 182 days before they plan to cease operations, relocate, or stop offering certain services. This requirement can be shortened if the hospital demonstrates the impracticality of the notice period and obtains approval from the commissioner of health.
• Public Hearing: Within 30 days of receiving the notice of a hospital's intended action, the health commissioner is required to hold a public hearing. This hearing must be announced adequately and use video conferencing to facilitate public participation.
• Location of Hearing: The public hearing must be within ten miles of the affected hospital, using video conferencing for broader participation, and include detailed reasoning from the hospital regarding the changes.
• Public Input and Accountability: The hearing provides an opportunity for public testimony, ensures that hospital authorities explain how they will maintain access to healthcare services, and allows public questions to be addressed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends the existing notification requirement for hospital operational changes to 182 days.
• Mandates the use of video conferencing for public hearings to ensure wider public access and participation.
• Stipulates that specific services, such as maternity care, intensive care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment, must be addressed if discontinued or relocated, ensuring continued access to these critical health services.

Relevant Terms

• Hospital closure
• Service curtailment
• Public hearing
• Inpatient care
• Emergency department
• Maternity care
• Mental health services
• Substance use disorder treatment
• Video conferencing technology