This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to exempt small format and micro hospitals from the certificate of need review process. Specifically, it introduces new legal language that allows health care facilities with existing licensed hospitals in West Virginia to construct, develop, acquire, or establish a small format or micro hospital. These facilities are defined as having 25 or fewer inpatient beds and emergency room beds, along with certain diagnostic and hospital services, and must not exceed a cost of $100 million. The location of these hospitals must also be strategically chosen to enhance care capacity without compromising the status of any existing critical access hospitals in the state.

In addition to the new exemption for small format and micro hospitals, the bill retains existing exemptions from the certificate of need process for various health services and facilities, including the acquisition of major medical equipment, renovations, and the establishment of certain health care services. The overall aim of the bill is to streamline the process for establishing smaller health care facilities, thereby increasing access to care in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-2D-11