FL gov. signs law reforming CON rules

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) has signed a bill, strongly backed by the state's hospital association, which remakes the state's certificate-of-need process. The bill includes a "loser pays" rule that covers a hospital's legal fees if there's an unsuccessful appeal after the state has granted a CON. Under the terms of the provision, parties that appeal a CON decision must post a $1 million bond and cover the other party's legal costs if they lose their appeal. 

In evaluating need, the revised rules will focus more than they have in the past on the extent to which a facility impacts access and competition, and how that facility will service indigent and Medicaid patients--as well as completing the analysis more rapidly.

To learn more about Florida's CON law changes:
- read this Modern Healthcare article (reg. req.)

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