LD 1890: An Act to Facilitate the Development of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities by Increasing the Monetary Threshold for Certain Facilities from the Requirement to Obtain a Certificate of Need and to Index the Threshold Annually Thereafter

Maine Employers for Affordable Health Care supports LD 1890 because it can help lower health care costs for Maine families and businesses. It would raise the Certification of Need (CON) review limit from $3 million to $5 million and adjust for inflation over time.

Why This Bill Matters

• Health care costs in Maine are rising fast.

• High prices—not overuse of care—are the main reason costs keep going up.

• When there is little competition, prices stay high.

The Problem with Current Law

• Maine’s Certificate of Need (CON) law requires state approval for some new health care facilities.

• The spending limit for review has not been updated for inflation in many years.

• This can block new providers from opening and reduce competition.

What LD 1890 Does

• LD 1890 is a careful, balanced update that raises the CON review limit from $3 million to $5 million and adjusts the limit each year for inflation.

• This makes it easier for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) to open which provide the same procedures as hospitals and usually charge much less.

• Research shows more competition does not cause rural hospitals to close.

LD 1890 supports competition, lowers costs, and expands access to affordable care when Maine families and businesses need it most.