RI reviews med equipment CON process

Apparently concerned that something is lacking in how the process works, a group of Rhode Island lawmakers have set up a commission to study whether state health officials are managing the CON process correctly. Right now, state law dictates that hospitals need to obtain CONs before buying high-cost medical equipment--in an effort, of course, to cut down on medical cost inflation. Apparently, legislators aren't satisfied that current legislation is getting the job done. The commission study, which will be presented in May 2009, is part of a larger effort in which the state is taking a fresh look at its entire CON approach. In so doing, Rhode Island actually is taking a less aggressive approach than several other states, some of which are dropping CON rules entirely or thinking seriously about doing so.

To learn more about the commission:
- read this Modern Healthcare article (reg. req.)

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