Indiana lawmaker wants to bring back hospital 'certificate of need' process

A state lawmaker is concerned that hospital construction is driving up the cost of healthcare


A state lawmaker is concerned that hospital construction, especially near wealthy neighborhoods, is driving up the cost of healthcare. 

He wants to bring back the “certificate of need” review process, which Indiana repealed about two decades ago, according to an article on the Indianapolis Business Journal website.

“There is a body of evidence that the clustering of hospitals in a very small geographic area — sometimes called the high-net-worth rooftops or ZIP codes — is driving up health-care costs,” Indiana Sen. John Ruckelshaus, R-Indianapolis said in the article. “I personally don’t know that. But clearly, in this environment we’re in right now, this is a major issue.”

Ruckelshaus said he is drafting a version of the bill and plans to introduce it in the next week or two. The review process would apply only to new hospital projects, not to additions at existing hospitals or the purchase of expensive hospital equipment.

Read the article.

 

 



January 8, 2019


Topic Area: Industry News


Recent Posts

Hospitals as Energy Microgrids: Ensuring Power Grid Independence

Resilient hospitals could become energy microgrids that generate, store and managing electricity while remaining connected to the wider grid.


Baystate Health Integrates Baystate Mercy Hospital into System

Over the past seven months, Baystate Health has been preparing to integrate Baystate Mercy Hospital and its affiliated clinics.


HCA Healthcare Reports Cybersecurity Incident

The organization identified suspicious activity on Aug. 12, 2026, and took steps to secure the affected systems.


How Retail Design Can Improve the Healthcare Patient Experience

Healthcare facilities can adapt retail design principles to improve patient comfort, streamline check-in and reuse existing spaces.


Jefferson Health Breaks Ground on Lehigh Valley Hospital—Coopersburg

It is expected to open in late 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.