Committee advances substitute to let successful freestanding psychiatric ED model operate without on‑site physician when guardrails exist The subcommittee approved a substitute to SB738 that loosens a prior on‑site physician requirement for freestanding psychiatric emergency departments when written agreements, EMS transfer protocols and teleconsultation are in place; Riverside officials said the model has treated thousands safely, while emergency physicians urged caution about 24/7 physician coverage for walk‑ins.

A new bill could revolutionize psychiatric emergency care in Virginia by allowing certain facilities to operate without a full-time physician, based on a successful model that has treated thousands safely!

Learn more here

#VA #PatientSafety #EmergencyCarePolicy #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform

Hospitals to implement financial assistance policies for low-income patients Hospitals must provide free or discounted emergency care based on household income levels

Massachusetts hospitals are set to transform emergency care by offering free or discounted services based on income levels—could this be the solution to healthcare inequality?

Learn more here

#MA #EconomicAssistance #EmergencyCarePolicy #HealthCareAccess #CitizenPortal