HI HCR3

Request the Legislative Reference Bureau to study the relevancy of Hawaii's Certificate of Need (CON) process under Chapter 323D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which requires state approval for healthcare facility construction, expansion, and major capital expenditures.

Examine the role of the CON program, whether certain facilities or services should be exempt from the process, and what modifications from other states could benefit Hawaii.

Note that Hawaii's CON law was established in 1975 following the federal National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974, though federal mandates were repealed in 1987 and 14 states have since dropped their CON programs.

Address criticisms of Hawaii's CON program including that it restricts competition, limits innovation, is inconsistently administered, and has not effectively controlled healthcare costs.

Require the Legislative Reference Bureau to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2019 Regular Session.