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Session: State Capitol, Room 102 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3743 Fax: (907) 465-2381 Send E-Mail Interim: PO Box 56622 North Pole, AK 99705 Phone: (907) 488-1546 Fax: (907) 488-4271 3340 Badger Road, Suite 290 North Pole, AK 99705 Phone: (907) 465-3743 |
Bill Permits Relocation of a Health Care Facility Within a Community
For Immediate Release: April 10, 2000
Contact: Representative Jeannette James at (907) 465-3743.
Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Monday passed House Bill 297, sponsored by Representative Jeanette James (R-North Pole).
Under current Alaska law, any relocation of a health care facility requires a Certificate of Need from the State. HB 297 allows the relocation of a health care facility to a new site in the same community without a Certificate of Need, provided that there is no increase in the services offered.
"Originally, HB 297 would have raised the threshold required for a Certificate of Need for construction of a health care facility in Alaska from $1 million to $7 million," James said. "After a great deal of discussion, we were able to find a solution to the immediate problem without raising the $1 million floor.
"All parties admit that Alaska's Certificate of Need process and Medicaid rate-setting process need a thorough examination and, possibly, some changes," James said. "I am committed to doing that over the next two years and encourage the public to participate in the process."
HB 297 passed the Senate unanimously.
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