AFP Calls on Governor Bullock to Enable More Home Health Care Workers to Treat COVID-19 Patients

Mar 20, 2020 by AFP

BOZEMAN, Montana – Americans for Prosperity-Montana (AFP-MT) called on Governor Bullock to lift existing Certificate of Need (CON) regulation and enable home health care professionals to treat Montanans in their homes.

Under current CON regulation, health care entrepreneurs and business seeking to offer home-health care need to first “prove the need” before legally offering those services. AFP-MT is urging Governor Bullock to use his emergency powers to waive this law and enable all trained health care professionals to provide this vital service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AFP-MT State Director, David Herbst issued the following statement:

“We are experiencing an unprecedented health and economic crisis. While there are many unknowns at this time, it is crucial for government to take swift and targeted actions to increase access to care for those that need it, while protecting the larger community. We thank Governor Bullock for taking a crucial first step by relaxing telemedicine rules, which will allow more Montanans to speak with doctors remotely.

“Today, consistent with his authority during a state of emergency, we’re asking the Governor to lift existing CON regulation that limits the amount of health care workers legally allowed to care for patients in their homes. We need all hands on deck. Our health care professionals must be free to offer every service they’ve been trained to, not restricted by government rules.”

AFP-MT supported legislation introduced during the 2019 session that would eliminate limitations on home health care professionals, as well as remove additional CON regulation that put unnecessary limits on essential health care services.

Background and Additional Information:
AFP Releases Guidance Memo for State-Based Reforms to Help Address COVID-19
Americans for Prosperity Calls for Swift, Targeted Relief in Face of COVID-19 Pandemic