The bill H.96 proposes significant changes to the certificate of need (CON) requirements for health care facilities in Vermont. It aims to increase the monetary thresholds that trigger the need for a CON, raising the limits from $1.5 million to $10 million for capital expenditures by non-hospital health care facilities, and from $3 million to $10 million for hospitals. Additionally, the bill introduces a new threshold of $50 million for projects requiring a conceptual development phase certificate of need. It also stipulates that health care services and facility projects resulting from contracts awarded by the State of Vermont will be exempt from the CON requirements.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the Board to periodically adjust these monetary thresholds based on the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, H.96 seeks to streamline the process for health care facilities to undertake projects by raising the financial thresholds that necessitate regulatory oversight, thereby potentially facilitating more rapid development and expansion of health care services in the state.

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