An Act relative to emergency response and preparedness in the event of a surge in pediatric or adult hospitalizations

This bill establishes an emergency protocol for Massachusetts hospitals to manage sudden surges in patient admissions. It triggers specific actions when hospital bed occupancy reaches 85% for three consecutive days or when the Department of Public Health activates its capacity planning guidance. Under these conditions, health insurance carriers must temporarily waive prior authorization requirements for transporting or discharging patients from affected regions for at least 30 days. The Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health will work together to implement these changes and publish the necessary guidance within 30 days of the law's passage.