IA bill exempts some hospitals from CON process

Iowa lawmakers have approved a bill that would strike down the state's certificate of need rules, at least as they apply to the state's 82 small, rural hospitals. The bill, which certainly makes the state's hospitals happy, includes language similar to that in a proposal issued by the Iowa Hospital Association. State legislators who shepherded the bill through Iowa's legislature have argued that the CON process is unduly burdensome for small hospitals. The bill is still subject to a veto from the state's governor, and it's not clear whether he'll sign it or not. At present, there's still some controversy over the nature of the bill's passage, which apparently got through without much public attention. However, a growing number of states have already limited or removed CON rules, so there is precedent for this measure.

To learn more about the Iowa CON bill:
- read this Associated Press item

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