Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Dear Guv. Culver (pt.2)
I sent nothing that should have solicited this response. I checked with my editor/typist/girlfriend and she says none of my personalities wrote any letter, regarding this topic, which was a relief. I thought I was crazy. I'm actually not sure how I feel about "House File 2700," but I guess I'm for it, since Chet seems to think I should be.If you like, you can read my original (and only) letter to Governor Chester J. Culver.
Unsolicited Reply Dated: May 20, 2008
Office of the Governor
Chester J. Culver
Governor
Patty Judge
Lt. Governor
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
515.281.5211
Fax 515.281.6611
www.governor.iowa.gov
Dear Christopher:
Thank you for writing to our office concerning the Certificate of Need provision in House File 2700. We appreciate your taking the time to contact us about this important issue. This provision was signed into law on May 15, 2008.
While we have carefully listened to those who have expressed concerns about the manner in which the Certificate of Need matter was addressed by the legislature, upon careful review we have concluded that the legislation protects the public interest by providing greater direction to the Iowa Department of Public Health regarding replacement of hospitals within a county’s borders.
By enacting this provision only federally designated Critical Access Hospital in rural parts of our state will be able to use the replacement exception to the Certificate of Need process. Previous Department of Public Health interpretations would have exempted both urban and rural hospitals seeking to build a replacement facility from the Certificate of Need process.
Under the new law those hospitals that are planning new, and not merely replacement, facilities in urban areas, will no longer be able to use the replacement exclusion to avoid the Certificate of Need process.
In allowing this language to stand we have provided Critical Access Hospitals in rural areas with the discretion to replace aging facilities that provide important access to healthcare. However, we continue to protect the process for Certificate of Need evaluation of any future expansion plans by health care entities in the more urban areas of our state and ongoing evaluations of increased service area capacities.
Once again thank you for contacting our office. We appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
[signed] [signed] Chester J. Culver Patty Judge Governor Lt. Governor
My reaction:
Your tax dollars at work. Now I am getting mail from letters I didn’t write. I’m on a list!
If I was the type of person who felt bad about things I would feel bad about pestering poor Chet while my state is under flood waters, but as you can see from the dates, I sent these before anyone started building an Ark.
Website:
Posted by cjorgensen on 06/18 at 06:00 AM
Political •
