4190.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 2:50 PM

Abstract #31911

Ohio’s Response after CON Sunset

Gretchen McBeath, JD, Bricker & Eckler Law Firm, 100 South Third Street, Columbus, OH 43215, 614-227-2303, gmcbeath@bricker.com

In 1995 the Ohio General Assembly repealed Ohio's twenty-year certificate of need program for all facilities, services, beds, capital, and equipment, except for long term care facilities which remain indefinitely subject to certificate of need review. This presentation will examine the situation in Ohio after deregulation.

Ohio phased out its certificate of need program during a period starting in May 1995 and concluding March 1, 1998. Currently, everything in Ohio is deregulated and no longer subject to CON except for long-term care services. All activities associated with the long-term care industry, both freestanding and hospital-based, continue under certificate of need indefinitely.

Ohio does not have a hospital licensure program but individual services are subject to quality review, similar to a licensure program. Most freestanding facilities such as ASFs, diagnostic imaging, dialysis are licensed. Since these services were deregulated, service capacity has expanded rapidly with indications of eight new transplant services, 38% increase in open heart surgery, 82 new MRI or CT scanners, 14 new lithotripters, 20 new obstetrical services, 567 new psyciatric beds, 41% increase in rehabilitation beds, 337 new med/surg beds, 13 new radiation therapy services, 133 new ambulatory surgery facilities, 1100 new hemodialysis stations, and 26 new hospitals of various types.

Although we have no hard figures on the capital expenditures involved in these projects listed above, the Department of Health reports that notices of intent filed between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 1999 for new facilities (hospitals, ASFs, radiation therapy facilities, dialysis facilities, diagnostic imaging facilities) equalled almost $694 million.

See www.ahpanet.org

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, the participants would be able to: 1.List numerous planning methods to assure a healthy community; 2.Assess the value of cooperative planning and regulation to the community; and 3.Take a defensible position in the debate of managed care vs. planned regulation.

Keywords: Certificate of Need, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American Health Planning Association
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA