Support AR Seniors and Mental Health Patients
Repeal Certificate of Need Laws in Arkansas
I am deeply
concerned about the well-being of our seniors and those requiring mental health
services in Arkansas. The pathway to improving their healthcare access and
quality lies within our reach, should we choose to act with foresight and
compassion. The obstacle in question is Arkansas' Permits of Approval, or more
widely known as Certificate of Need (CON) laws.
Arkansas’ CON laws mandate that any new healthcare providers
seek approval from a board of unelected officials, often affiliated with
existing healthcare entities, before they can open new facilities or expand
their services. This method is unaligned with Arkansas’ principles of freedom
and free market competition. While the original intent behind these laws was to
manage healthcare costs and ensure the delivery of high-quality services, the
actual outcomes have strayed far from these well intended goals.
The repercussions of maintaining the current CON laws are
profound and multifaceted:
- Limited
Healthcare Options for Our Most Vulnerable: The CON laws have directly
contributed to a scarcity of essential services, including long-term care
facilities, hospice care, and home health services. This scarcity
disproportionately affects our senior citizens and individuals in need of
mental health care, leaving them with fewer options and resources.
- Stifled
Innovation and Escalated Costs: By hindering competition, these laws
not only elevate healthcare costs but also stifle innovation. The lack of
competition discourages the introduction of new healthcare solutions and
technologies, which could otherwise benefit all Arkansans, especially the
most vulnerable among us.
- Delayed
Access to Vital Healthcare Services: The cumbersome and prolonged
process of obtaining a Certificate of Need can delay the establishment of
much-needed healthcare facilities for years. This delay affects the timely
provision of critical services, especially in senior care and mental
health.
Our petition calls for the repeal of the Permit of Approval
(Certificate of Need) laws in Arkansas. Eliminating these laws will facilitate
a healthcare environment characterized by:
- An
increase in available long-term care, hospice, and home health services,
specifically addressing the needs of our senior and mental health care
populations.
- A
reduction in healthcare costs, achieved through fostering competition and
encouraging innovation within the healthcare sector.
- Expedited
access to essential healthcare services, ensuring that facilities can open
and operate without unnecessary delays.