HI HCR9

Requests the State Auditor to conduct a study of the relevancy of Hawaii's Certificate of Need (CON) process under Chapter 323D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Requires the study to examine the CON program's role and its effects on resident health, accessibility and quality of health services, healthcare cost containment, and prevention of unnecessary duplication of services.

Directs the study to determine whether certain facilities, types of facilities, or services should be exempt from the CON process and make recommendations to eliminate or modify the process.

Mandates the Auditor submit findings, recommendations, and any necessary proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2017.

Notes that Hawaii's CON law was established in 1975 in response to the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974, which was repealed in 1987; 14 states have since dropped their CON programs.