Public Hearing Notice  Notice of Virtual Public Hearing Concerning Berkshire Health Systems, Inc.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 105 CMR 100.445, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will conduct a virtual hearing to permit comment on the Determination of Need (DoN) Application #BHS-23072710-OL filed on September 1^st, 2023 by Berkshire Health Systems, Inc. (Applicant), located at 725 North Street, Pittsfield, MA for an Original License to operate a Medicare-certified critical access hospital at 71 Hospital Avenue, North Adams, MA. The Proposed Project will return 18 inpatient beds to the North Adams community. In addition to returning inpatient services to the Northern Berkshire community, the Applicant will convert certain Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) Satellite Services, including the BMC Satellite Emergency Facility, to the North Adams Regional Hospital license as part of the Proposed Project. The reimagined North Adams Regional Hospital will have 18 medical/surgical beds (which will also be certified for use as swing beds for subacute care), a 4-room mixed inpatient/outpatient surgical space (comprised of existing open and closed operating and endoscopy rooms from the prior hospital and current satellite facility), and imaging, emergency services and other outpatient services. The total value of the Proposed Project based on the maximum capital expenditure is $2,850,000.

The Department will conduct a hearing virtually by conference call in order to promote public access. The virtual hearing is scheduled for October 25^th, 2023, 6:00PM-8:00PM. Members of the public and other interested parties may join the hearing by phone using the following information:

Phone Number: 888-604-9363

Passcode: 7576600

Such hearing shall not be adjudicatory but shall be in the nature of a public forum for the presentation of any comments that may be relevant for consideration by the Department regarding the Proposed Project. Persons wishing to make their views known may speak during the virtual hearing or may submit written comments to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Determination of Need Program, 67 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 or via email to DPH.DON@State.MA.US. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023. All written comments submitted to the Department may be posted on the Department’s website and released in response to a request for public records.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability who requires accommodation (s), please complete the online accommodation form at ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form or contact Shauntay King, EOHHS ADA Accommodations Coordinator at 617-894-4352 or Shauntay.M.King@Mass.gov at least 5 days before the hearing. If you request accommodation (s) after this time we may not be able to provide them.