Hospital charge books

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

1) Copies of the most recent charge books submitted to the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, pursuant to 114.1 CMR 42.02(1)d, by each acute hospital in the state.

The information contained in hospital charge books is, as demonstrated by statute, available to the public and not protected as proprietary business information. M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 228(a) states: "upon request by a patient or prospective patient, a health care provider shall, within 2 working days, disclose the allowed amount or charge of the admission, procedure or service, including the amount for any facility fees required; provided."

I ask that all fees be waived for this request as I am a journalist employed by the Lowell Sun and I intend to use the requested records to publish articles in the public interest and not for any commercial purposes.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Todd Feathers