The bill S.10, introduced by Senators Hardy and Lyons, aims to modify the requirements for obtaining a certificate of need (CON) for new health care projects in Vermont. Key changes include increasing the monetary thresholds for various health care projects, such as raising the capital cost limit for non-hospitals from $1.5 million to $5 million and for hospitals from $3 million to $10 million. Additionally, the bill eliminates the requirement for certain projects to obtain a CON, specifically for routine replacements of fully depreciated medical equipment and nonmedical equipment, regardless of their remaining useful life. The bill also stipulates that the Green Mountain Care Board shall adjust the monetary jurisdictional thresholds annually based on the cumulative Consumer Price Index rate of inflation.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new exclusions from the CON requirements, including emergency and nonemergency ground ambulance services and related equipment. It also establishes a new threshold for projects requiring a conceptual development phase certificate of need, increasing the limit from $30 million to $100 million. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. Overall, S.10 seeks to streamline the process for health care facilities to develop new projects while ensuring that significant expenditures still undergo appropriate oversight.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-9434, 18-9435