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

HB 5199 requires hospitals to provide clear evidence to the Office of Health Strategy proving that ending inpatient or outpatient services would not reduce healthcare access or affordability in the affected area before approval. It mandates the Office to notify the Public Health committee if a hospital appeals a denied termination application and prohibits overturning the Office’s decision without new, previously unavailable information. This bill directly affects hospitals seeking to discontinue services and the communities relying on those services, focusing on preventing service cuts that could harm local healthcare availability.