Bill > HB2007

This bill proposes to repeal the Certificate of Need (CON) program in West Virginia, effectively eliminating the requirement for health care facilities to obtain approval before expanding services or adding new medical equipment. Specifically, the bill terminates the Certificate of Need program on January 1, 2026, and abolishes the West Virginia Health Care Authority. The legislation transfers the authority's assets, records, and equipment to the Department of Health, and provides that the Secretary of Health may hire employees of the abolished authority into classified-exempt positions. The bill removes numerous existing definitions and provisions related to the CON program, including detailed rules about reviewing and approving health care facility expansions or new services. Additionally, the bill ensures that any cooperative agreements previously approved by the Health Care Authority will remain exempt from antitrust laws, and it requires the Secretary of Health to propose repealing any existing rules related to the CON program during the 2026 legislative session. The underlying motivation appears to be reducing regulatory barriers for health care providers and streamlining the process for developing new health services and facilities.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2007&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill