For generations, our masters in government have imposed massive regulations and controls on the health care industry. Health care is probably the most regulated industry in America.
Many States require that people desiring to build a hospital or clinic must first apply to government, and obtain a ‘certificate of need.’ Government then gets to be the final word on the opening and closing of medical facilities.
The stated goals behind such controls are to: (1)Ensure an adequate supply of health resources, (2) ensure “access to care,” (3) increase quality, (4) ensure the provision of charity care, (5) encourage the use of hospital substitutes such as ambulatory surgery center (ASCs), and (6) restrain the cost of care.
A new comprehensive study by the Mercatus Center shows that the ‘certificate of need’ controls FAIL ON EVERY FRONT. The impositions accomplish NONE of the stated goals. See here.
