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HB 5199

AN ACT CONCERNING THE TERMINATION OF INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT SERVICES OFFERED BY A HOSPITAL.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Gordon and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill establishes regulatory procedures requiring hospitals to follow defined protocols when terminating inpatient or outpatient services, balancing facility autonomy with community healthcare access protection.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
#consumerprotection #hospitals #medicalcare
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Bill Summary · HB 5199

Legislative bill overview

HB 5199 establishes procedures and requirements for hospitals in Connecticut to terminate inpatient or outpatient services. The bill aims to regulate how hospitals discontinue medical services and likely includes notification requirements, timelines, and potentially community impact assessments before service termination. This legislation would create formal oversight mechanisms for service closures that currently may lack standardized regulatory processes.

Why is this important

Hospital service closures directly affect patient care continuity and community access to healthcare. Rural and underserved areas are particularly vulnerable when hospitals eliminate critical services like emergency departments or obstetrics, forcing patients to travel further for care. Standardized termination procedures protect patients, ensure adequate transition planning, and allow state regulators to assess whether closures create gaps in healthcare access.

Potential points of contention

  • Hospital operational autonomy vs. regulatory burden: Healthcare facilities may resist restrictions on business decisions, arguing that financial viability requires service flexibility, while regulators argue public health requires oversight of essential services
  • Notice period and timeline requirements: Determining adequate transition time involves balancing hospital operational needs against patient and provider preparation; shorter timelines favor hospitals, longer ones may delay necessary restructuring
  • Community impact analysis scope: Defining what constitutes "impact" (geographic distance to alternatives, vulnerable populations served, economic effects) and who bears responsibility for mitigation creates implementation ambiguity and potential disputes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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