An Act preserving essential services in our hospitals

This bill requires hospitals to notify the state health department 90 days before closing or discontinuing any essential health service. The department must define "essential health service" through regulations and hold public hearings if a hospital proposes to stop such a service. If the department determines the service is necessary for community health access, the hospital cannot discontinue it for three years. The law directly affects hospitals and the state health department, aiming to protect critical medical services from abrupt cuts. It creates a formal review process to prevent unnecessary closures of vital hospital services.