Amends TCA Title 4; Title 34; Title 42; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

Generally under present law, a person may not take certain actions in regard to a healthcare facility without having first obtained a certificate of need (CON). These actions include:<br /> <br /> (1) The construction, development, or other establishment of any type of health care institution;<br /> (2) In the case of a health care institution, any changes in the bed complement that increase the total number of licensed beds or relocates beds to another facility;<br /> (3) Initiation of certain healthcare services, such as organ transplantation, home health, or hospice care; and<br /> (4) A change in the location of or the replacement of existing or certified facilities providing health care services and health care institutions.<br /> <br /> This bill removes the requirement to apply for and receive a CON for a home care organization and satellite emergency department facility established by a hospital at a location other than the hospital's main campus. This bill also removes home health and hospice services from the list of services initiation of which requires a CON under present law. <br /> <br /> Present law defines "home care organization" as any entity licensed as such by the department that is staffed and organized to provide home health services, or hospice services to patients in either their regular or temporary place of residence.<br /> <br />