"An Act amending the certificate of need requirements to apply only to health care facilities and nursing homes located in a borough with a population of not more than 25,000, in the unorganized borough, or in a community with a critical access hospital. "

Free enterprise motivates excellence, encourages competitive prices, and benefits consumers. The beneficial principles of free enterprise apply to businesses large or small: hot dog stands, automobile manufacturers, as well as health care facilities, and nursing homes.

HB 287 removes the current requirement for a Certificate of Need for health care facilities and nursing homes in a borough with a population of more than 25,000. In other words, a Certificate of Need would not be required for a health care facility or nursing home in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Matsu and Kenai. Smaller communities would still require, as a practical matter, the Certificate of Need.

Competition typically lowers prices. Passage of HB 287 would help lower the escalating costs of Workers' Compensation, PERS/STRS, Medicaid, and the cost and availability for Alaskan companies and individuals.

The free marketplace should decide if a business is needed, not the government. A health care facility or nursing home should not have to beg for a government issued Certificate of Need to open a business, so as to protect similar businesses from healthy competition. Medical facilities and nursing homes keep patients healthy; competition keeps the economy healthy.

Medical costs in Alaska have reached crisis levels. It is past time to restore American competition and freedom of choice for the benefit of Alaska's medical consumers.

Your support of HB 287 is respectfully requested.

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