Friends of ABD,

Delaware has certificate-of-need (CON) laws, which require that health care providers show a need in the community for new devices, certain technologies, or to expand or establish a practice. Research finds that CON laws are associated with higher health care and physician spending per capita. In Delaware, CON laws create a barrier to entry into the market, inhibit expansion, and fail to provide adequate health care services in some areas.

A report by the Mercatus Center estimates a savings of $270 on total healthcare per person without CON laws, and an increase in access to hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. They also estimate an increase in local services without these restrictions, helping residents access healthcare and keeping spending local.

Delaware has utilized the CON process since 1978. Please write the Sunset Committee and ask them to remove outdated CON laws in our state.