Legislative Update
On Beacon Hill…
New Free Care Pool Regulations Restrict Services and Eligibility The state’s
Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) has published draft regulations
that restrict services and eligibility for the Free Care Pool. Under proposed
“Critical Access” changes, hospitals will no longer be allowed to
provide hospital outpatient primary care if the hospital is within 15 miles of
a community health center, unless the patient’s acuity requires a hospital-based
setting. Inpatient care, as well as outpatient emergency, urgent and specialty
care will still be allowed. In addition, the pool will no longer cover emergency
and urgent care for non-residents of Massachusetts. Phyllis Jen, MD, medical director,
Brigham Internal Medicine Associates, testified at a public hearing August 24.