Lawmakers to Hold June 25 Hearing on Bill to Study Access to Essential Healthcare Services Across Massachusetts as Hospital Closures Devastate Patients and Communities – PR Newswire

Report on Massachusetts Healthcare Access and Hospital Closures Legislation

Introduction

Massachusetts is facing significant challenges in healthcare access due to widespread hospital closures and reductions in essential health services. In response, lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at assessing the state’s healthcare infrastructure and improving public enforcement over hospital closures. This report emphasizes the alignment of these legislative efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Legislative Initiative: An Act Assessing Healthcare Access (SD1058/HD2593)

Purpose and Scope

Filed by Senator Jacob Oliveira and Representative Ted Philips, this bill proposes a comprehensive statewide study to:

1. Examine Massachusetts’ current healthcare infrastructure.
2. Identify gaps in access to essential health services.
3. Project future healthcare needs in light of service reductions and hospital closures over the past three decades.

The study will be conducted by the Department of Public Health (DPH) and will include analysis of:

• Existing healthcare capacity.
• The cumulative impact of over 40 hospital and unit closures since 2009 and earlier.
• Effects of staffing shortages.
• Reductions in critical services such as maternity care and behavioral health treatment.

Legislative Hearing Details

• What: Hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Health
• When: Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: Virtual hearing accessible via livestream at https://malegislature.gov/
• Testifiers: Amy Gagnon, RN (Leominster Hospital); Alan P. Sager, PhD (Boston University School of Public Health)

SDG Alignment

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The bill aims to ensure equitable access to essential healthcare services, improving health outcomes statewide.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By addressing healthcare access disparities caused by hospital closures, the legislation promotes social inclusion and equity.

Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) Perspective

Katie Murphy, ICU nurse and President of the MNA, highlighted the urgent need for transparency and patient-centered healthcare planning. She emphasized that current decisions prioritize profits over patient needs, undermining SDG 3 and SDG 10 objectives. Murphy called for legislative reforms to protect vulnerable populations, including mothers, babies, and individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.

Related Legislation to Strengthen Hospital Closure Laws

An Act Relative to the Closing of Hospital Essential Services (S. 1503)

Sponsors: Senator Julian Cyr, Representatives Michael Kushmerek and Christine Barber

• Extends the official notice period to the DPH before hospital closures or discontinuation of services.
• Requires hospitals to notify and allow comment from affected municipalities prior to closure.
• Empowers the Attorney General to seek injunctions to maintain essential services during the notice period.
• Prohibits hospitals from applying for licensure or expansion for three years following service discontinuation unless services are restored or modified plans approved.
• Prohibits closure of essential health services during public health emergencies.

SDG Connection: This bill supports SDG 3 by safeguarding continuous access to essential healthcare services and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by enhancing legal enforcement mechanisms.

An Act Preserving Access to Hospital Services (S. 1574)

Sponsors: Senator Paul Mark, Representative Margaret Scarsdale

• Establishes a process for state receivership of hospitals or clinics pending closure.
• Addresses the current lack of mechanisms to keep hospitals open when deemed necessary by the DPH.

SDG Connection: This legislation promotes SDG 3 by ensuring the sustainability of healthcare facilities critical to community health.

Impact of Hospital Closures in Massachusetts

• Over 40 hospital and unit closures since 2009, with additional closures dating back to the 1990s.
• Recent closures include Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center due to financial mismanagement.
• Repeated DPH rulings have found closures harmful to public health, yet enforcement has been limited.

Conclusion

The proposed legislation and related bills represent critical steps toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals by improving healthcare access, reducing inequalities, and strengthening institutional accountability in Massachusetts. These efforts aim to place patients at the center of healthcare planning, ensuring equitable and sustainable health services for all communities.

Additional Resources

• Massachusetts Nurses Association
• Facebook: MassNurses
• Twitter: MassNurses
• Instagram: MassNurses

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on healthcare access, hospital closures, and essential health services, which directly relate to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The legislation aims to address disparities in healthcare access caused by hospital closures, impacting vulnerable populations.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Efforts to increase transparency, public enforcement over hospital closures, and legislative oversight relate to building effective, accountable institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential healthcare services.
   • Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and recruitment, development, training, and retention of the health workforce.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Healthcare Access and Capacity Indicators
   • Number of hospital closures and unit closures over time (e.g., more than 40 closures since 2009).
   • Availability of essential health services such as maternity care and behavioral health treatment.
   • Staffing levels and shortages in healthcare facilities.
   • Measures of healthcare infrastructure capacity and projected future needs.
2. Legislative and Institutional Indicators
   • Existence and enforcement of laws regulating hospital closures and essential service discontinuations.
   • Transparency and public participation in healthcare decision-making processes.
   • Number of injunctions or legal actions taken to prevent harmful hospital closures.
   • Processes established for state receivership of hospitals pending closure.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: prnewswire.com