Rep. Marianne Proctor of Union will serve on the Kentucky General Assembly’s task force on Certificates of Need, according to an afternoon announcement from House Speaker David Osborne.
Legislative leadership created the panel to focus on issues pertaining to the Certificates of Need program, as well as identifying both areas of improvement and potential solutions.
“Since beginning my tenure as State Representative, I have found a passion for the Certificate of Need process and finding avenues to grant citizens of this state access to the care that they need. With this passion comes feelings of pride and privilege that I get to serve this task force,” Proctor said. “Through the 2023 Regular Session, I sponsored legislation that would change Certificates of Need all together, and I am hopeful that the work of this task force will result in meaningful discussion to change healthcare in the commonwealth for the better.”
The certificate of need requirement has long been a point of discussion among policymakers considering how to improve access to quality healthcare.
A certificate of need, also known as CON, is a legal document required in Kentucky before a proposed acquisition, expansion, or creation of a healthcare facility can occur. Some certificate of need requirement exists in more than 30 other states today.
Kentucky policymakers have grappled with the issue for several decades and this year’s task force began due to discussion during the 2023 Regular Session. The legislative task force was created to investigate the commonwealth’s CON program as a whole, as well as how it ties in with the state health plan and other existing laws and regulations relating to the healthcare industry.
“Our objective is to come into each session with an agenda aimed at building a brighter future for the people of our commonwealth,” Osborne said. “Task forces like this one have proven to be a vital tool, providing us with an opportunity to focus on issues as they develop.”
Task force members will meet throughout the 2023 Interim and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission by Dec. 4, 2023, for referral to the appropriate committee or committees.
Proctor serves the state’s 60th House District, which includes part of Boone County. In addition to the task force, Proctor will serve the interim joint committees on Families and Children, Local Government, as well Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection.
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