Micro-Hospital Exemption Bill Dies in Committee
A bill that sought to exempt micro-hospitals from West Virginia’s Certificate of Need (CON) process failed to advance in the House Health Committee on Thursday.
House Bill 3487 originally aimed to allow healthcare systems with at least one licensed hospital in the state to bypass CON requirements when constructing or acquiring a small-format hospital. However, the version presented to the committee expanded eligibility to any entity looking to establish a micro-hospital, leading to concerns about its broader impact.
What the Bill Proposed
Under HB 3487, new micro-hospitals would have been required to expand care capacity without threatening existing critical access hospitals. These facilities could include up to:
- 25 inpatient beds
- 25 emergency room beds
- A CT scanner, MRI scanner, and additional essential services
The total cost of each facility would have been capped at $100 million.
Support and Opposition
Delegate Wayne Clark, R-Jefferson, who led the bill’s sponsorship, emphasized the need for improved healthcare access in West Virginia, particularly in the Eastern Panhandle. He noted that micro-hospitals are typically developed in high-density suburban areas rather than rural communities, making them a viable solution for expanding medical services.
“We’re going to give our citizens more access to health care,” Clark stated during the debate.
However, opponents, including Delegate Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, argued that West Virginia’s existing CON process does not prevent healthcare systems from developing small-format hospitals. She pointed to Mon Health System’s success in building such hospitals in Marion and Harrison counties while adhering to CON regulations.
Hamilton also raised concerns about staffing shortages, suggesting that recruitment remains a significant challenge for new medical facilities.
Industry Pushback
Both Mon Health System/Vandalia North and the West Virginia Hospital Association opposed HB 3487, citing concerns about its potential effects on the healthcare system.
Following debate, the bill was put to a voice vote. A few members supported it, but the majority voted against it, effectively killing the proposal in committee.
What’s Next?
With HB 3487 failing to advance, healthcare providers looking to establish micro-hospitals in West Virginia must continue to navigate the Certificate of Need process. The debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing healthcare expansion with regulatory oversight.
