OLR Report 2015-R-0258
describes state health care facility requirements to obtain a certificate of
need (CON) prior to reducing health care.
Some states, including
Connecticut, require health care facilities to obtain a CON before terminating
specified services. However, states generally do not require CON authorization
to reduce services. While some states (e.g., Maryland) require a CON to change
the scope of health care services offered, the applicable law or regulations
typically do not include service reductions alone among those changes requiring
approval.
Several states, while not
requiring CON approval to reduce services, include the impact of service
reductions among the review criteria for projects requiring CON approval. Also,
some states require facilities to notify the state of service reductions.
According to the National
Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states have CON programs. Generally, these
programs require health care facilities to obtain regulatory approval before
undertaking certain actions, such as building or expanding facilities, offering
new services, or purchasing specified equipment. States vary in the scope of
facilities and services subject to CON requirements.
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full report.
