Under the legislation, a hospital would apply to convert to a freestanding outpatient facility and get community input. The Maryland Health Care Commission would then have 45 days to make a decision on the conversion. The current process requires hospitals to get a certificate of need and can take several months or even years.
The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Thomas Middleton (D-Charles County) and Del. Peter A. Hammen (D-Baltimore City), has gained support from hospital officials, who say they need the ability to quickly open outpatient centers to meet cost constraints, according to the report.
Opponents of the legislation, including members of labor union 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, argue it would make the process of closing a hospitals too simple.
More articles on hospital closures:
8 hospital closures so far in 2016
Oklahoma hospital to cease inpatient services this month
Plumbing repairs push Tennessee hospital to close
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