NY S02633

Requires the Department of Health to produce a comprehensive report by April 1, 2026, examining the impact of hospital and hospital network closures on healthcare access across New York state

Mandates collection of detailed statewide data including hospital bed counts per county/zip code, travel times between facilities, staff employment figures, patient demographics (race, sex, gender, age, economic status, disability status), and payor mix information

Requires the department to engage public health experts, hospital labor representatives, community leaders, and residents in producing the report

Establishes "distressed healthcare zones" based on the data to identify areas at risk of future hospital closures, which will receive priority in healthcare spending allocation and certificate of need decisions

Requires follow-up reports every three years after the initial report, with updated distressed healthcare zone designations, to be posted publicly on the Department of Health website