The bill mandates the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral health-related boarding in acute care hospitals in Massachusetts. This analysis will examine factors such as length of stay, reasons for wait times, levels of care required, insurance coverage, and patient demographics. The HPC is also tasked with reviewing practices in other states to identify best practices and recommendations to alleviate the burden on acute care hospitals. The report, due by July 1, 2023, will include actionable recommendations aimed at improving patient outcomes and the quality of care for those boarded in acute care settings.

Additionally, the bill introduces several initiatives to enhance the management of behavioral health emergencies and reduce emergency department (ED) boarding. It establishes the Behavioral Health Treatment Resource Platform (BHTRP) to improve communication among healthcare providers and creates the Middlesex County Restoration Center as a crisis diversion facility. The bill emphasizes the need for improved data collection on ED boarding times and patient outcomes, mandates collaboration among various health departments to assess community resources, and clarifies payment rules for services provided in the ED. Furthermore, it advocates for focused screening of behavioral health patients and highlights the importance of investing in the behavioral health workforce to improve access to care.