The Washington, D.C. Council unanimously voted to advance a bill that would require hospitals and other care providers to get regulatory approval before closing, according to WTOP.
The D.C. Health and the State Health Planning and Development Agency, which handles certificate of need requests for the city, will have the authority to approve or disapprove these closures.
The bill comes as St. Louis-based Ascension looks to end acute care at Providence Health System in Washington, D.C., which has garnered significant criticism from political and community leaders.