The North Carolina legislature could hold a special legislative session to consider a number of healthcare related reforms, including certificates of need, The Laurinburg Exchange reports.
What you should know:
1. The Senate passed HB 126, which would've relaxed CON restrictions, but the measure failed in the house. The bill is currently in a conference committee. If the bill doesn't advance out of committee, it will remain there until the next legislative session.
2. However, legislators are considering holding a special session, where CON reform and several other healthcare-related initiatives could be discussed and considered in a special action.
3. Legislators have been attempting to override the state's CON laws for years. CON proponents believe the laws protect rural or vulnerable hospitals, while critics believe they restrict access to healthcare.
4. HB 126 would've exempted psychiatric facilities, chemical dependency treatment facilities and some continuing care facilities from CON laws.