2801-g. Community forum on hospital closure. 1. No later than thirty days after the closure of a general hospital, the commissioner shall hold a public community forum for the purpose of obtaining public input concerning the anticipated impact of the general hospital's closure on access to health care services by members of the surrounding community, including but not limited to recipients of medical assistance for needy persons, the uninsured, and underserved populations, and options and proposals to ameliorate such anticipated impact. The commissioner shall afford community members, health care providers, labor unions, payers, businesses and consumers a reasonable opportunity to speak about relevant matters at such community forum.
2. No later than sixty days after holding a community forum pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the commissioner shall make available to the public on the department's website information regarding:
(a) the anticipated impact of the general hospital's closure on access to health care services by members of the surrounding community, including but not limited to recipients of medical assistance for needy persons, the uninsured, and underserved populations;
(b) specific measures the department and other parties have taken or will take to ameliorate such anticipated impact; and
(c) any further recommendations regarding access to health care services in communities impacted by the general hospital's closure.
3. A community forum conducted pursuant to this section shall be held at a location within a reasonable proximity to the general hospital subject to closure, and shall be announced no less than ten days prior to the date of such community forum.
Last modified: February 3, 2019