06.13.2017

HB621, An Act Relative to Accessible Medical Equipment

Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), on behalf of our member hospitals, health systems, physician organizations and allied health care providers, appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in opposition to HB621, “An Act Relative to Accessible Medical Equipment”, as drafted.

While MHA supports the principles addressed by in HB621, we oppose the bill as drafted. This legislation requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to put forward regulations on minimum technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment. This would create a duplicative regulatory structure that is already in place for hospitals and would add unnecessary costs to the state and the provider community. 

As part of the provider tax that was levied on hospitals to fund the MassHealth Delivery System Reform Trust Fund in the FY17 budget, every acute care hospital is now required to provide detailed reporting to the Medicaid program on the types and number of accessible equipment for persons with disabilities.  The reporting that was developed by the state specifically takes into account the federal standards that all healthcare providers are required to follow including: (1) the United States Access Board’s  “Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment” that provides design criteria and technical requirements for accessing medical diagnostic equipment; (2) the U.S. Department of Justice’s (which enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)) technical assistance guide that outlines how providers should provide access to medical care for individuals with mobility disabilities; and (3) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration  (OSHA) ergonomics standards, that outlines recommendations for staff to work with patients to minimize workplace injuries. 

While every hospital constantly evaluates its buildings and equipment to ensure there is appropriate access for patients with disabilities following the federal standards above, it is clear that the goals and principles of HB621 are already being implemented in the state through the reporting requirements of MassHealth.  Therefore, HB621 would be duplicative and potentially could lead to conflicting standards for hospitals.  For these reasons we urge the committee to take no action on HB621.

 
Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments on this important matter. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact MHA's Vice President of Government Advocacy, Michael Sroczynski, at (781) 262-6055 or msroczynski@mhalink.org.