CT SB00960

Commissioner of Public Health shall convene a working group by July 1, 2023, to evaluate methods for alleviating emergency department crowding and lack of available beds.

Working group shall examine establishment of quality measures for timely patient transfers, emergency department discharge units, percentage of admitted patients held in emergency departments, and liability reduction for hospitals during crowding situations.

Working group membership shall include up to 21 members representing emergency physicians, primary care physicians, nurses, hospital associations, patient advocates, mental health and children's services commissioners, and other healthcare stakeholders.

Two co-chairs shall be selected by the Commissioner of Public Health: one emergency physician and one hospital association representative, who may convene the first meeting by December 1, 2023, even if other members are not yet selected.

Working group shall submit findings and recommendations to the Commissioner of Public Health and the joint standing committee on public health by January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2025.