You asked if state law defines "chronic disease hospital," as the term is used in Proposed Bill 5936.

State statute defines a "chronic disease hospital" as a long-term hospital having facilities, medical staff, and all necessary personnel for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of chronic diseases (CGS § 19a-535b(a)). (That statute addresses the transfer or discharge of patients from such facilities. ) The term is also defined in the same manner under the nursing home patients' bill of rights (CGS § 19a-550(a)). The Public Health Code defines a "chronic disease hospital" as a long-term hospital having facilities, medical staff, and all necessary personnel for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of a wide range of chronic diseases (Public Health Code § 19-13-D1(b)(2)). Such hospitals must meet a number of regulatory requirements addressing the physical plant, administration, medical staff, medical records, nursing services, pharmacy, dietary service, emergencies, infection control, and special conditions (Public Health Code § 19-13-D5; regulations attached).

The term "chronic disease hospital" also is referenced in CGS § 19a-6 which makes the Department of Public Health (DPH) commissioner responsible for the planning and administration of programs for the control and treatment of lung diseases; the treatment of people affected with other chronic illness; and the medical rehabilitation of chronically ill, physically disabled and handicapped persons. This statute states that the commissioner is responsible for the administration and operation of the "chronic disease hospitals of the Department of Public Health," defined as a hospital operated by DPH. Proposed Bill 5936, by amending CGS § 19a-250, applies only to chronic disease hospitals operated by DPH.

JK: eh