Alaska legislators introduced two bills that would abolish the state's certificate of need program if passed, according to the Alaska Journal of Commerce.
The key details to know:
1. Rep. George Rauscher, R, and Sen. David Wilson, R, filed the two identical bills for the 2019 legislative session. This is the third year the Alaska legislature will consider bills abolishing CON laws.
2. Those who oppose CON laws say they restrict competition by preventing new facilities, such as ASCs and new hospitals, from opening.
3. However, Alaska's hospital and nursing home care industries oppose repealing CON laws because free-market competition isn't as effective in the state, which isn't a destination for medical tourism and has a low population.
4. The two bills are not yet scheduled for committee hearings.