NY A09819

Institutes an immediate moratorium on hospital closures and capacity reductions until the Department of Health completes a statewide report on the impact of closures on healthcare access in New York.

Hospitals may only close or reduce capacity below their current levels if the Department requests an exemption that is approved by the legislature.

Requires the Department to collect statewide data including number of healthcare facilities by county, hospital bed availability, patient demographics, insurance status, physician staffing levels, and transportation access.

Mandates the Department engage public health experts, labor representatives, community leaders, and residents in completing the report, which must be distributed to legislative leaders and posted publicly within one week.

Requires the Department to use collected data to identify "distressed healthcare zones" at risk of future closures and prioritize these areas for healthcare spending.