The debate over ending the national practice of changing clocks twice a year is back in the news as Congress weighs making daylight saving time permanent. The U.S. House voted 308-117 in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act.

Local Impact

Massachusetts lawmakers have explored the possibility of doing away with clock changes. Dr. Karin Johnson, a neurologist and sleep specialist at Baystate Health, points to issues permanent daylight saving time could bring, especially in winter months when the sun could rise well past 8 a.m.

Johnson notes that this could affect people’s sleep patterns, saying, “That really squeezes our opportunity to sleep on both ends — people won’t be able to fall asleep until later, and then their rhythms get moved later and later, which affects all aspects of our health.”

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.