Americans for Prosperity: Time to Usher In New Era of Affordable Patient Choice in Georgia

Feb 14, 2023 by AFP

Praises bill that will end regulations that make it nearly impossible to add beds for mental health treatment, buy a new x-ray machine, or open a hospital in a rural part of the state

ATLANTA – Americans for Prosperity – Georgia (AFP-GA) today thanked Sen. Ben Watson for introducing SB 162 to repeal the state’s certificate-of-need (CON) laws. These outdated laws require health care providers to get permission from state bureaucrats to open new hospitals, purchase new equipment, and expand existing services.

Bill text is available here.

AFP-GA Deputy State Director Tony West released the following statement:

“This is the year to repeal Georgia’s certificate-of-need laws. These burdensome regulations limit access to quality care and drive up prices. What this means is that it is nearly impossible to add beds for mental health treatment, buy a new x-ray machine, or open a hospital in a rural part of Georgia. Today, patients across the state thank Senator Ben Watson for introducing SB 162. This is the bold leadership that Georgians are looking for. By ending Georgia’s certificate-of-need laws, we will usher in a new era of affordable patient choice.”

In December, AFP-GA launched a six-figure campaign urging the repeal of the state’s certificate of need (CON) laws which limit access to quality care and drive up prices for individuals and families. The ads are running on TV and digital through legislative session. AFP-GA also launched EndTheCONGA.com as part of this effort.