SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5296

                    As of January 24, 1995

Title:  An act relating to health facilities and services.

Brief Description:  Modifying health facility and services provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Quigley, Moyer and Winsley; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long-Term Care: 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

Background:  Since 1971 the state has required certain health care facilities and services receive a Certificate of Need (CON) before commencing construction or operation.  To obtain a CON, the applicant must show that the community needs this service, that the proposal is the best way to meet the needs, that it's financially feasible and that it will deliver high-quality health care.

Currently, CON applies to the construction of new health care facilities, buying, selling or leasing hospitals, adding more beds in hospitals or nursing homes, increasing kidney dialysis treatment stations, and capital expenditures for nursing homes exceeding $1.2 million.

Summary of Bill:  CON is phased out under the following schedule:

As of July 1, 1995, the following no longer requires CON review:  ambulatory care centers; sales or leases of hospitals; nursing home capital expenditures exceeding the $1.2 million threshold; redistribution of beds from a nursing homes to boarding homes.

As of July 1, 1996, only nursing homes and nursing home beds are subject to CON review.

Effective July 1, 1997, the CON program is repealed.

By December 1, 1995, the Department of Health must provide recommendations to the Legislature outlining measures that may be necessary to assess access and quality of health care facilities in the future.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 1995.