Healthcare can be expensive and complex. But Tennessee’s rules and restrictions are making it worse, often for those who can least afford care. Adopted in the 1970s, certificate-of-need (CON) laws require a government permission slip before providing most healthcare services, such as opening a new hospital or purchasing high-tech medical equipment. Imagine if every new restaurant had to get permission from other food establishments to open its doors or even buy a new fryer or drink machine!
Over the last 20 years, approximately 1 in 5 healthcare innovations requiring CON approval were rejected in Tennessee. As a result, many facilities have never opened their doors or expanded to serve some of the state’s most vulnerable communities.
This year, we look to build upon past legislation, which gradually repealed the necessity of a CON for several healthcare services, including nursing homes, hospice care, MRIs, PET, and ambulatory surgical centers. This bill is the next step in reducing CON laws as we work toward the complete elimination of certificate-of-need in Tennessee.
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STATUS: This bill has been filed as SB 1369 (Watson) / HB 819 (Garrett).