authored that would make the process of obtaining approval for certain repair and maintenance
projects for hospitals more efficient (A.7665-B). The measure now heads to the governor’s desk for his
consideration.
“The current burdensome regulations can leave hospitals waiting for approval for vital, much-
needed renovations for months and even years,” Russell said. “It is not necessary for routine repairs
and maintenance to undergo the same scrutiny as major projects such as building a new hospital wing.
It wastes crucial time and money. This bill will help expedite hospital repairs without jeopardizing
patients’ health and safety.”
The Certificate of Need (CON) program, administered through the New York State Department
of Health (DOH), is a review process that governs the construction and renovation of New York State
hospitals. Health care providers are required to submit a CON application to the DOH and obtain its
approval or the State Hospital Review and Planning Council’s (SHRPC) approval before building new
hospitals or renovating existing ones, and before acquiring major medical equipment.
Currently, the DOH has to approve all hospital construction projects in excess of $3 million, and the
SHRPC has to approve projects in excess of $10 million. In addition, the DOH is not required to act on
CON applications within a specific time frame.
Assemblywoman Russell’s legislation would eliminate the requirement for prior approval, regardless
of the project’s cost, for projects, such as:
- Routine repairs or maintenance;
- Non-clinical infrastructure projects, such as expanding parking lots, replacing roofs, elevators and heating, ventilating and air systems; and
- Equipment replacements, including acquiring state-of-the-art equipment to be used in place of outdated equipment.
red tape and helps improve patients’ health and well-being by helping hospitals install the most up-to-
date medical technology in a timely and efficient way.”
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