1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: And we're going to begin the hearing Bill H. Five 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:04,280 Speaker 1: zero four seven. 3 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 2: It's State Rep. John Rogers bill. 4 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 3: The people of the region of the Commonwealth are now 5 00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,040 Speaker 3: languishing in a medical desert. 6 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 2: The hospital's land is owned by private equity firm MPT, 7 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:17,560 Speaker 2: and the bill would allow the state to take it 8 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:18,920 Speaker 2: by eminent domain. 9 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,920 Speaker 3: MPT can afford to play in the waiting game until 10 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 3: it can find a suitable operator at the highest price 11 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 3: it demands. Our people cannot afford to play that game. 12 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 3: They are suffering, and indeed die. 13 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 2: Tim McDonough has stage four cancer and is forced to 14 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,480 Speaker 2: travel to need them or Boston for care. 15 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 4: We need it. It's beyond comprehension. You've got a brand 16 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 4: new building that's just sitting there. I want to see 17 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 4: if you put to work, put to use. 18 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:47,559 Speaker 2: Committee Chair Senator Nick Collins says the bill is a 19 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,160 Speaker 2: no brainer and has his full support at the State House. 20 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 2: Suzannsalsville WBZ, Boston's news radio