This month’s PHC meeting included a single Determination of Need (DON) request, a series of updates on the status of proposed amendments to regulations, a vote on a final amendment, and an informational update for members on tickborne illness surveillance in Massachusetts.

First, the Council took up a Determination of Need request from UMass Memorial Medical Center for a substantial capital expenditure to its campus in Worcester. The renovation will affect four floors and address longer ED wait times by creating more medical-surgical beds and creating a new nine-bed stepdown unit.  The plan will also renovate the observation unit and bone marrow transplant unit, decrease the psychiatric bed capacity, and bring the medical-surgical unit into ADA compliance. Following a discussion, the Council voted to approve the DON request.

Next, the Council heard a series of updates on the status of proposed amendments to regulations, including:

• 105 CMR 410.000, Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation
• 105 CMR 435.000, Minimum Standards for Swimming Pools
• 105 CMR 158.000, Licensure of Adult Day Health Programs

Following that, the Council took up a final vote on proposed amendments to 105 CMR 660.000, Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Products: Reports of Added Constituents and Nicotine Ratings. Following a discussion, the Council voted to approve the proposed amendments.

Finally, the Council heard an informational update on Tickborne Illness Surveillance in Massachusetts from State Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown.

Tags: 2017, Department of Public Health, DPH, June, Public Health Council