Senate Bill S8321

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8321

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to placing a moratorium on closing hospitals during
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; and providing for the
repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that our state and local hospitals
remain open during the covid-19 pandemic.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one of this bill sets forth the language instituting the morato-
rium on the closure of hospitals until December 31, 2023.

Section two sets forth the effective and expiration dates.

              

 
EXISTING LAW:

New law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The world changed in 2020 with the widespread outbreak of the novel
coronavirus now referred to as covid-19. Experts believe that this
outbreak may be one of the worst pandemics in human history, and New
York is at the epicenter of the outbreak here in the U.S. New York has
the highest number of cases - as well as the highest death toll - of any
state in the nation. What's more, it is now irrefutable that covid-19
has disproportionately affected (and continues to disproportionately
affect) people of color.

Unfortunately, there has been a push in recent years to close many New
York area hospitals for the sake of efficiency. Recent news reports
indicate that, since 2003, approximately 41 hospitals have closed state-
wide, including 18 in New York City alone. Not surprisingly, these
closures have disproportionately affected communities of color.  I am
introducing this legislation to place a moratorium on hospital closures
during this pandemic. Now is not the time to close New York hospitals.
Our hospitals need to remain open to help New Yorkers - especially the
disadvantaged - through this health crisis.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

To be determined.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.