ICYMI: New AFP Op-ed Addresses How Certificate of Need Laws Are a Barrier to Alabama’s Healthcare Expansion

Oct 11, 2024 by AFP

AFP-AL Highlights the Damaging Effects of Alabama’s CON Laws on Healthcare Providers in the State

Birmingham, AL – Americans for Prosperity – Alabama (AFP-AL) State Director Adam Thompson and AFP Policy Analyst Sofia Hamilton published a new op-ed featured in Yellowhammer News. In the piece, they address how Alabama’s certificate of need (CON) laws are blocking critical healthcare expansions, tarnishing the quality of healthcare, and driving up costs for Alabamians.

An excerpt of the op-ed is below:

Yellowhammer News: AFP: Alabama’s certificate of need laws are crushing Hoover’s healthcare expansion

“In recent weeks, Alabama’s laws impacting the health care market were proven to be onerous and costly for taxpayers. It was reported that the Hoover Health Care Authority spent over $1 million in legal fees to fight back against a competitor opposing Hoover’s bid to open a new ambulatory surgery and medical diagnostic center. The day after the exorbitant legal fees were revealed to the public, Hoover was awarded their certificate of need (CON) and given permission to begin development.

“In a 2024 report published by the Commonwealth Fund, Alabama consistently ranked in the bottom quartile for health care quality and outcomes. Alabamians need health care, so why did Hoover need to spend $1 million to find that out? For that, the state’s CON law can be blamed.

“It is estimated that in the absence of a CON program, Alabama would have more than 178 hospitals compared to the current 126. Patients would also expect to save over $200 a year in total health care spending if CON were no more. The research shows that CON laws make health care scarcer and more expensive, and many state legislatures are finally coming to their senses and getting rid of these outdated barriers to care.

“It’s never been clearer — Alabama’s CON program wastes taxpayer money while holding much-needed health care investment hostage for the monetary advantage of entrenched business interests. When the Alabama Legislature reconvenes at the beginning of February, Alabamians need to keep this question at top of mind: Is our state’s health care market any better off after taxpayers were left with a $1 million legal bill?”

Read the full op-ed HERE or email dstancavage@standtogether.org for media availability for Thompson and Hamilton.

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