MI SB1073

Changes definition of rural county to reference 2010 federal standards for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (updated from 2000 standards).

Allows hospital bed relocation without certificate of need if relocation occurs within 2-mile radius between two hospital sites under the same license, or to a freestanding surgical outpatient facility meeting specified criteria including common ownership, prior licensing before January 1, 2010, 24-hour emergency care, at least 4 covered clinical services, location within 8-mile radius, and location in county with population between 1,200,000 and 1,500,000.

Requires hospital relocating beds to provide written verification of continuing $10,000,000 annual uncompensated care, medical education and job training programs in cooperation with educational institutions, comprehensive health care services, and maintenance of at least 100 licensed beds at current site.

Adds conflict-of-interest procedures for commission including requirement that vice-chairperson lead discussion when chairperson has conflict; changes staffing requirement from specific minimum staffing levels to "sufficient staff" to support commission work.

Requires commission to evaluate all certificate of need review standards to determine if language allows actual approval of applications and, if service is capped at specific number of providers, plainly express that determination in standards.