A need for change with the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws brought heated debates during the 2023 Legislative Session. And a bill by state Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, that would have changed the CON regulations came under intense fire late in the session and as a result, the bill did not cross the finish line.
But Senate Resolution 279 did – creating the Senate Study Committee on Certificate of Need (CON) Reform which will address CON reform policies that “will preserve the ability of hospitals to continue to provide open access to all patients in a community,” said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
Late last week, Jones listed the passage of the resolution and creation of the committee as a success in the 2023 session. And Wednesday, he announced legislative and citizen appointments to the committee.
“As a 6th generation rural Georgian, I understand from personal experience what a lack of healthcare access means to rural Georgia families,” said Jones. “Expanding access to healthcare and reviewing how the current certificate of need laws are hindering this process will be a focus of this study committee. The appointees are experts on this issue. I look forward to their work around the state to ensure that input on this topic is prioritized from local communities and Georgians, not special interests protecting the status quo.”
Dolezal will chair the 12-member committee which will hold meetings throughout the state in communities where expansion for healthcare access was denied or is limited due to certificate of need regulations. Dates and locations of the meeting will be announced at a later date.
Legislation creating the study committee states that: “Georgia’s Certificate of Need laws have remained static despite significant changes in the delivery and cost of health care; and …hospitals, doctors, and other providers must work together to meet the challenge of delivering services with better outcomes at a lower cost.
It goes on to say that “Georgia needs additional healthcare facilities to meet the needs of patients, particularly in mental health, surgery, and emergency settings; Whereas rural hospitals face an ongoing financial crisis, and Certificate of Need policies should be aligned to support the survival and growth of rural hospitals…”
The following members will serve with Dolezal on the committee:
● Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan)
● Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens)
● Sen. Ed Harbison (D -Columbus)
● Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R- Marietta)
● Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson)
● Sen.Ben Watson (R- Savannah)
● Matt Hasbrouck – CEO at Memorial Meadows in Vidalia
● Mark A. Baker – CEO of Houghston Clinic
● Christine Macewen – Corporate Counsel, Legal Services and Executive Director, Corporate Development/Project Management Office at Piedmont Healthcare
● Jesse Weathington – President and CEO of Georgia Association of Health Plans
● Dr. Steven B. Wertheim – Former Co-President of Resurgens