MA H1353

Health Policy Commission must conduct analysis and report on acute care hospital stays exceeding 60 days, in consultation with the Center for Health Information and Analysis, Department of Public Health, Division of Health Insurance, and Division of Medical Assistance

Report must examine quantity, cost, and root causes of long stays, including patient demographics, medical conditions, insurance coverage, and barriers related to immigration status

Analysis must address barriers preventing patients from receiving care in appropriate settings and evaluate hospital efforts to discharge or transfer patients to post-acute care facilities

Report must assess adequacy of existing funding sources and recommend additional funding to reimburse hospitals for bad debt from long stays

Report with legislative recommendations due within 180 days of passage to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and House and Senate Ways and Means Committees