This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to define "neighborhood hospitals" and exempt certain health care facilities from the certificate of need (CON) requirements. A "neighborhood hospital" is characterized as a facility with a maximum size of 40,000 square feet, offering up to 15 emergency room bays and inpatient beds, while providing various medical services in compliance with state regulations. The bill aims to streamline the establishment and operation of neighborhood hospitals, ambulatory health care facilities, and ambulatory surgical facilities by exempting them from the CON process, thereby enhancing access to care for residents.

In addition to introducing the definition of "neighborhood hospital," the bill deletes several existing definitions related to affected persons, types of health care facilities, and specific health services, simplifying the regulatory framework. It also outlines financial indicators of a hospital's distressed condition and specifies that significant changes in service capacity after a transaction must still adhere to existing CON requirements. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the acquisition of hospitals and physician practice groups, particularly for those purchasing financially distressed hospitals that have applied for a CON since January 1, 2017, and allows for the construction and establishment of neighborhood hospitals and other facilities without needing a CON.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-2D-2, 16-2D-10