Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 3, 2021 Massachusetts House passes legislation to balance health care market, protect vulnerable hospitals Updated regulations would require health care expansions to undergo further regulatory review O n November 17, 2021, to protect community hospitals, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H.4253, “An Act enhancing the market review process” (158-1), which promotes a more balanced health care market by strengthening the regulatory processes for health care expansions. The legislation creates a more rigorous review to ensure that when large hospital systems expand, they are not infringing on community hospital markets and raising health care costs for patients. H.4253 also requires the ongoing upkeep of a health resource inventory, which will give regulators a better understanding of the Commonwealth’s existing health care resources to inform these review processes and future reform eff orts. The Senate will now consider “An Act enhancing the market ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $3.259 Mid Unleaded $3.299 Super $3.419 Diesel Fuel $3.399 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $4.81 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $3.099 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Cedar impression half rounds review process.” “Yesterday, the House took a major step in working to guarantee that every Massachusetts resident has access to quality, affordable health care by passing legislation that will protect community hospitals,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “Community hospitals off er high-quality care to the most vulnerable patient populations at aff ordable rates. Our efforts to control health care cost growth depends on their continued existence.” “Last week, I was proud to support legislation that will protect community hospitals in the state of Massachusetts. This law will ensure rigorous review processes to make sure that when large healthcare systems are looking to expand that they are not infringing upon community hospital markets,” said Representative Paul Donato of Medford. “This is especially important in the 35th Middlesex District as we make sure that our community hospitals Like Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Winchester Hospital, and Melrose-Wakefi eld Hospital are not hurt by private healthensuring continued competition in the health care market. “An Act enhancing the market review process”: • Expands and strengthens the material change notice (MCN) process of the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to include a broader range of transactions and give cost and market impact reviews (CMIRs) more weight in the Determination of Need (DoN) and Attorney General (AGO) proceedings • Requires the Department of Paul Donato State Representative care expansion. As always, I will continue to fi ght to make sure healthcare remains accessible and aff ordable to all our citizens.” H.4253 continues the House’s commitment to health care as demonstrated in Massachusetts’ health care reform law of 2006 and in the landmark cost containment law of 2012. Community hospitals operate on thin margins and with the constant possibility of closure. H.4253 limits unchecked growth of hospital chains, better suiting community hospitals to survive and Public Health (DPH) to consider additional sources of information, including CMIRs and Center for Health Information & Analysis (CHIA) data, as part of the DoN process • Re-establishes a health planning council that will assist DPH in maintaining an inventory of health care resources to inform the MCN process and better assess the appropriateness of DoN applications • Protects independent community hospitals’ markets and gives hospitals another tool to halt DoN proceedings should a proposed project encroach on their primary service area Melrose Arts & Crafts Society donates to Shaw’s Giving Tree On November 22, the Melrose Arts & Crafts Society decided to donate to the Melrose Shaw’s Giving Tree. The tree is for seniors in need and has treeshaped cards with a senior’s number, the item requested and the cost. Home Instead, which is partnering with Shaw’s, will purchase, wrap and distribute the requested item to the designated senior. Melrose Arts & Crafts Society Vice President Janice Carr and several other members, in the spirit of giving, were pleased to present Shaw’s Customer Service Manager Sharon Piccirilli with funds to purchase fi ve cards. The Society’s next monthly meeting will be held on December 13 at the First Baptist Church at 561 Main St. in Melrose from 9 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. Elaine Lerman will be teaching a class on making Christmas gift tags. The Society has members from 11 surrounding communities and welcomes anyone interested in learning a new craft or improving an old one to contact Dorothy Iudice at 781-662-2099. 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