General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1539 proposes significant amendments to the certificate of need (CON) application process for healthcare facilities in Connecticut, particularly focusing on the transfer of ownership of hospitals and large group practices. The bill introduces new categories requiring a CON, including cardiac services, outpatient surgical facilities, and advanced imaging equipment, while also mandating a CON for private equity investments acquiring controlling interests in healthcare facilities. Notably, it removes the previous requirement for a CON for the termination of certain inpatient or outpatient services at state-operated facilities, but retains it for similar services at other hospitals. The bill emphasizes the need for public necessity, financial feasibility, and the impact on healthcare accessibility and quality when reviewing CON applications.

Additionally, the bill outlines new procedural requirements, such as the necessity for applicants to publish notices in local newspapers and submit detailed plans for service provision for three years post-transfer. It establishes a tiered fee structure based on project costs and mandates public hearings for certain applications. The legislation also introduces an expedited review process for applications related to increasing licensed bed capacity and allows for the hiring of independent consultants for specialized expertise. Overall, Raised Bill No. 1539 aims to enhance oversight, transparency, and community involvement in healthcare facility ownership transitions while ensuring that healthcare services remain accessible and of high quality.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
PH Joint Favorable:
File No. 664:
APP Joint Favorable: