Though certificate of need is not likely to be the top issue in this year’s governor’s race, it is an issue that impacts Kentuckians and has already come up on the campaign trail.
Both Democratic nominee Andy Beshear and Republican nominee Daniel Cameron have their opinions when it comes to the program.
Certificate of need is a complicated issue, and the Kentucky legislature is currently considering whether or not to reform or repeal the decades-long program after creating the Certificate of Need Task Force during the interim legislative session — the time in between sessions where legislators research and hear testimony on subject matter that might be discussed in the upcoming legislative session.
“Certificate of need laws require healthcare facilities to seek state approval prior to major capital expenditures or new projects, so this could include a nursing home expanding their bed capacity, or a health system opening a new ambulatory care center or initiating new services like at burn unit,” said Samantha Scotti, program manager for the National Conference of State Legislatures, which provides policy research and training resources to all 50 state legislatures.
Certificate of need has been on the minds of Northern Kentuckians for years — regardless of political affiliation — but took an increased role in the region this year when Rep. Marianne Proctor (R-Union) and Sen. Gex Williams (R-Verona) filed several bills this past session that would get rid of certificate of need.
Speaking in Covington in April, Cameron — who was running for the GOP nod at the time — said he understands there is some nuance with the issue after being asked by an audience member.
Cameron said he understands there is some nuance from talking with healthcare industry professionals. The nuance involves ensuring there’s enough coverage in rural areas, which is less of a problem in bigger cities, he said.
“But, I do support making sure that we get less and less C-O-Ns,” Cameron said.
Gov. Andy Beshear, the Democratic nominee, said he believes there’s a robust discussion that goes around the certificate of need process. He also said he wants to listen to everybody expressing their opinions on the issue, and he believes health care is a “basic human right.”
“When I look at laws or regulations, to me, it’s about where we want to get to,” Beshear said. “I want to make sure that people can get the services that they need, the very best health care, and get it in their region as conveniently as possible, for an affordable price. Nobody should ever have to worry about taking their parents or their kids to a doctor when they’re sick.”