Bill > LD189

This bill eliminates the Certificate of Need (CON) requirement for health care facilities providing mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services. A Certificate of Need is a regulatory process that traditionally requires healthcare providers to obtain approval from state authorities before establishing new healthcare services or facilities, with the intent of controlling healthcare costs and preventing unnecessary duplication of services. Specifically, the bill amends existing Maine state law by adding a new provision that exempts mental and behavioral health care services, substance use disorder detoxification, and treatment services from the CON requirement. This change is designed to increase the availability and affordability of mental health and substance use disorder services by removing regulatory barriers that might otherwise discourage healthcare providers from establishing or expanding such services. The bill affects facilities licensed under Maine Revised Statutes Title 22, and it aims to make it easier for healthcare providers to offer these critical mental health and substance use disorder services.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=189&snum=132