Requesting The State Health Planning And Development Agency And Department Of Health To Hold A Public Meeting For All Certificate Of Need Applications For Any Proposed Special Treatment Facility In Neighborhoods With Community Associations.
SCR25 addresses a significant gap in the current application process for Certificates of Need, which authorize the construction or expansion of healthcare facilities. The existing administrative review process does not mandate public meetings unless prompted by a written request from interested parties, leading many community members to feel excluded from the process. By requiring public meetings, the resolution stands to enhance community awareness and input, fostering a more transparent and participatory regulatory environment.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 (SCR25) seeks to enhance public participation in the decision-making process surrounding the establishment of special treatment facilities in neighborhoods across Hawaii. Specifically, the resolution requests that the State Health Planning and Development Agency and the Department of Health hold public meetings for all Certificate of Need applications related to proposed special treatment facilities in areas with active community associations. This move aims to empower communities to engage more actively in discussions that affect their local healthcare landscape.
The bill arises from growing frustrations voiced by neighbors and community associations who have noted a lack of opportunities to provide input on Certificate of Need applications for special treatment facilities. There is a call for stakeholders to be adequately informed and involved in the process that directly impacts their neighborhoods. However, it is also possible that some healthcare providers may express concerns about the potential delays and additional burdens this requirement could impose upon them, as public meetings could lengthen the approval timeline for needed facilities.
In addition to mandating public meetings, SCR25 requests that the agency adopt rules requiring Certificate of Need applicants to present before local neighborhood boards as part of the application process. This requirement emphasizes the importance of aligning health services with community needs, as it encourages dialogue between health service providers and local populations, potentially leading to more effective and accepted healthcare solutions.