Share this:
This event is co-hosted by Pacific Legal Foundation and the Mercatus Center
With the second wave of COVID-19 pushing hospitals to full or near-full capacity once again, numerous states are reevaluating one policy that is meant to prevent the growth of healthcare services and facilities: CON laws.
Certificate-of-Need or CON laws require healthcare providers to prove that their service is “needed” before they’re allowed to open or expand. The catch? To determine “need,” bureaucrats allow existing companies to weigh in on whether additional competition will harm them, essentially allowing for a competitor’s veto.
These laws currently exist in 38 states across the country. However, this year 24 different states have suspended or permanently repealed their CON laws to increase access to healthcare and eliminate strain on the healthcare system. This has many Americans thinking: should these laws remain on the books, moving forward?
CON laws aren’t just an abstract policy issue—they have a direct impact on individuals across the country: from entrepreneurs, to business owners, to those seeking increased healthcare options. On December 15, join Pacific Legal Foundation and the Mercatus Center for a virtual event telling the stories of Americans who have been impacted by CON laws and highlighting the need for permanent reform.
