It is pretty clear that North Carolina hospitals are adamant about using the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) regulations to shield themselves from the free market. After all, what law better protects their fortresses from potential competitors who could possibly provide more innovative services in less expensive settings?
Under the existing statute, medical providers often times must ask permission from “The SHCC,” the governor-appointed State Health Coordinating Council, to build or expand an existing health care facility, offer new services, or update major medical equipment. For more on the history and flawed reasoning behind CON laws, see my previous post on the issue here.
As 2015 approaches, North Carolina legislators are gearing up to disrupt the health care status quo. Reforming the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) law will hopefully ignite some competition within the health care sector and help to reduce costs for patients.
For more info, read my latest Forbes article here.
