Should We Re-Invent State Health Planning and Certificate-of-Need Programs?

This commentary revisits the history of certificate-of-need and state health planning efforts to inform future decisions as hospitals and state policymakers work through what the health care system will look like post-COVID-19, and whether surge capacity should be retained.

COVID-19 brings new urgency to states to assure that residents have access to the services and facilities they need, when they need them, and at a price they can afford.