The Mackinac Center for Public Policy praises legislation that will help lawmakers have a better understanding of the effect that the state’s Certificate-of-Need commission has on the quality of healthcare. Introduced yesterday in the Michigan House, House Bills 5074-5077 are sponsored by Representatives Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian), David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids), Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron) and Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette).

The bills will increase transparency by requiring that the public have access to the CON commission’s meeting materials and reports in a timely fashion. Additionally, a joint committee of the legislature would oversee the commission and provide a review of the commission’s activities. The committee would also examine the impact that the CON commission has on Michigan’s health care market.

Below is a statement from Greg George, director of legislative affairs at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Michigan law requires health care facilities and providers to obtain permission from an unelected commission before establishing or expanding vital health care services. These Certificate-of-Need laws have a significant impact on health care costs, access and quality. Increasing transparency to this process and requiring elected officials to regularly review the actions of the commission brings patients to the table about the future of their health care.

To learn more about the Mackinac Center’s work on Certificate-of-Need and other health care policies, visit www.mackinac.org/healthcare.