A Georgia House of Representatives committee approved House Bill 198, which would overhaul the state's certificate of need laws, by a 10-4 vote, local NPR affiliate WABE reports.
What you should know:
1. The bill will now advance to the House Rules Committee.
2. The bill would replace the CON system with a less restrictive licensing process.
3. The bill is framed to improve rural health conditions, while allowing for an expedited review process without comments. If passed, there would be limited requirements for healthcare facilities, except nursing homes and home healthcare.
4. In Atlanta, existing healthcare facilities would rarely be allowed to object to a new applicant, and in rural Georgia, existing facilities would only be able to object if a center is within 10 miles of an existing center.
5. One provision added to the bill in committee would grant Atlanta-based Grady Memorial Hospital the same 10-mile protection as rural hospitals.
6. It's expected the bill will continue to change as it makes its way through the legislature.