HARTFORD – The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) called for an overhaul of the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) program during today’s public listening session hosted by the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) at the Legislative Office Building. Connecticut hospitals and health systems participated in the conversation on the CON program, the process that regulates certain healthcare services in Connecticut, and shared concerns about shortcomings that create barriers to healthcare access and affordability. CHA issued the following statement:
“Changes to the state’s CON program are desperately needed. There are deficiencies within the current
process that create excessive administrative burden and bureaucracy and are barriers to the delivery ofcutting edge healthcare in our state. Substantial delays in the state’s review of CON applications has increasingly obstructed hospital efforts to provide services and preserve access. Beyond delays that inhibit access to care, the CON process often does not recognize the financial impact of decisions, which results in decisions that ultimately drive up healthcare costs.
“We appreciate OHS hosting this session and offering healthcare providers a seat at the table in this
important dialogue. We want to continue working together with the state to overhaul the CON program
so that it works better for all patients. Connecticut legislators have demonstrated a strong and
continuous commitment to reviewing the program. Legislative attention should be focused on efforts to
improve and speed up the process, remove unnecessary costs, ensure existing rules are being complied
with and are equally applied across all entities, and reduce the regulatory burdens that make it more
challenging to deliver care to patients. The CON process should enhance, not diminish, healthcare
affordability. Hospitals and health systems remain ready partners to achieve this shared goal together.
