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 small format or micro hospitals. These facilities are defined as having 25 or fewer inpatient beds and emergency room beds, and they may include specific medical equipment and services, all while ensuring that their establishment does not jeopardize the provider status of any existing critical access hospital in the state. The total cost for these small format or micro hospitals is capped at $100 million.
In addition to this new exemption, the bill also modifies existing provisions related to the certificate of need process, including the acquisition and utilization of medical equipment and the establishment of various health services. The changes aim to streamline the process for certain health care facilities while maintaining oversight for larger projects. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance access to health care services in West Virginia by facilitating the development of smaller, more agile hospital facilities.
Statutes affected: Introduced Version: 16-2D-11