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HB 5711

AN ACT ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR THE EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Anderson and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill removes state approval requirement (Certificate of Need) for healthcare service expansions, potentially accelerating competition but risking duplicative services and reduced rural access.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
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Bill Summary · HB 5711

Legislative bill overview

HB 5711 would eliminate Connecticut's Certificate of Need (CON) requirement for expanding health care services. CON laws require health care providers to obtain state approval before making major capital expenditures or service expansions. This bill would remove that regulatory gatekeeping mechanism for at least some or all health care expansion projects in the state.

Why is this important

Certificate of Need laws directly affect health care accessibility and costs. Removing the requirement could accelerate new service openings and facility expansions, potentially improving access in underserved areas—but could also lead to duplicative services in profitable markets while neglecting rural or low-income regions. The change would represent a significant shift in Connecticut's health care regulatory approach.

Potential points of contention

  • Market competition vs. planning concerns: Supporters argue eliminating CON reduces barriers to entry and spurs competition; critics worry it enables wasteful duplication and loss of coordinated regional health planning
  • Rural health access: Without CON oversight, providers may avoid low-profit rural expansions, potentially worsening rural health disparities that CON proponents argue the law helps prevent
  • Cost control: Opponents contend eliminating CON removes a tool to constrain health care expenditure growth; supporters counter CON actually increases costs by limiting competition and innovation
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language about "expansion of health care services" is unclear—it may eliminate CON entirely or only for certain service types, creating implementation questions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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