This bill proposes to eliminate the Certificate of Need program in Alabama, a program that requires health care providers to have state approval before they can offer certain new or expanded services. The bill also proposes to abolish several health-related organizations, including the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, the Health Care Information and Data Advisory Council, and the Certificate of Need Review Board. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to update the existing code language related to these entities and the certificate program to reflect the proposed changes. If [...]

This bill exempts health care institutions and services located in rural areas from the requirement to obtain a certificate of need. Specifically, the bill amends the definition of "covered health care reporter" to include health care facilities in rural areas, and adds a new section that states any new institutional health service proposed to be offered or developed in a rural area on or after October 1, 2024 shall not be subject to certificate of need review. The bill also repeals a section related to an exemption for certain kidney disease treatment centers, and [...]