‘Everything is on the table’ as Georgia lawmakers consider lifting hospital construction limits

Jimmy Lewis, CEO of HomeTown Health, which represents rural hospitals, says hospitals need more resources as lawmakers consider changes to Georgia’s certificate of need law. He pitched Medicaid expansion as a potential solution Tuesday. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

Georgia lawmakers from the House and Senate are putting the state’s system to restrict hospital and other health care services under a microscope this summer.

Both chambers have set up study committees to examine Georgia’s certificate of need program during the legislative off-season after Lt. Gov. Burt Jones came up short in his push to ease restrictions during his first session presiding over the state Senate. 

bill that would have exempted most rural hospitals from the certificate of need process cleared the Senate earlier this year with a 42-13 vote but stalled in the House. It remains alive for next session, which begins in January.