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Bill

SD 2008

An Act to study the prevalence and cause of long term acute hospital stays

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Mark

Mandate a data-driven study by state health agencies on stays over 60 days, analyzing causes, costs, barriers, and discharge/funding, with a 180-day report.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 2008

Summary of SD 2008: An Act to study the prevalence and cause of long term acute hospital stays

Overview

SD 2008 is a proposed Massachusetts bill titled “An Act to study the prevalence and cause of long term acute hospital stays.” The measure directs the Commonwealth’s health agencies to analyze and report on acute care hospital stays that exceed 60 days, with a focus on identifying causes, costs, care quality, and financing issues. The House of Representatives has concurred with the measure, indicating advancement through the legislative process. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025, and is filed as Senate Docket No. 2008.

Purpose and intent

  • To analyze why certain patients experience long-term stays in acute care hospitals (over 60 days) and to identify factors contributing to these prolonged admissions.
  • To inform policy discussions by providing evidence on costs, patient characteristics, care pathways, and funding adequacy related to long stays.
  • To consider barriers to appropriate post-acute care placement and discharge, including financial and systemic obstacles.

Key provisions

1) Analysis and reporting requirement
- The Health Policy Commission (HPC), in consultation with:
- Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA)
- Department of Public Health (DPH)
- Division of Health Insurance (DHI)
- Division of Medical Assistance (DMA)
- Must conduct an analysis and issue a report on acute care hospital stays that exceed 60 days.

2) Contents of the report
- (i) Aggregate, de-identified patient data for long stays, including medical conditions/diagnoses, insurance coverage, and demographic information.
- (ii) Barriers to reimbursement and insurance coverage tied to immigration status.
- (iii) Average length of such stays.
- (iv) Barriers preventing patients from receiving care in the appropriate setting.
- (v) Hospitals’ efforts to safely and efficiently discharge or transfer patients to clinically appropriate post-acute settings.
- (vi) Adequacy of current funding sources and any recommended additional funding sources to reimburse hospitals for bad debt associated with long stays.
- (vii) Recommendations to ensure patients receive the most appropriate level of care for their clinical needs.

3) Reporting timeline
- The report and any legislative recommendations must be submitted to the chairs of:
- The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
- The House Committee on Ways and Means
- The Senate Committee on Ways and Means
- Deadline: no later than 180 days from the Act’s effective date.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected entities: health policy bodies and state agencies involved in health care financing and oversight (HPC, CHIA, DPH, DHI, DMA).
  • Potentially affected groups: patients with long acute care stays, hospitals, and payers (insurers), particularly regarding post-acute care arrangements and reimbursement practices.
  • Data considerations: analysis will rely on aggregate, de-identified information to protect patient privacy.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: House concurred, indicating legislative alignment between chambers on this measure.
  • Next steps typically would involve presentation to the Governor for assent after final House concurrence, depending on the state’s enacted-process timing.

Bottom line

SD 2008 seeks a data-driven study of long-term acute hospital stays (over 60 days) to identify causes, costs, systemic barriers (including immigration-related reimbursement issues), and opportunities to optimize discharge planning and funding. The resulting report, due within 180 days of enactment, aims to inform future policy decisions to ensure appropriate, efficient, and financially sustainable patient care.

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

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