Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Kentucky Releases Report Exposing the Harmful Impact of Kentucky’s Certificate of Need (CON) Laws  

FRANKFORT, KY – Today, Americans for Prosperity Foundation – Kentucky (AFPF-KY) released a comprehensive report detailing the failures of Kentucky’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws, advocating instead for commonsense reforms and solutions to expand healthcare innovation. The report authored by AFP health care policy analyst Sofia Hamilton and AFPF investigative analyst Thomas Kimbrell emphasizes how CON laws have stopped $1 billion of health care investment, burdened taxpayers, and stifled health care innovation. 

Passed in 1972, Kentucky’s CON laws require health care providers to obtain government approval before expanding health care services. While originally intended to control costs and redundant services, research indicates CON laws instead hinder health care access, limit innovation, and stifle competition.  

AFP-KY State Director Heather LeMire released the following statement:  

“Outdated Certificate of Need (CON) laws have restricted health care access, innovation, and competition. These laws erect unnecessary barriers between health care providers and their patients, and they increase the costs for both. It’s time to reform the broken system and set Kentucky up on a path to success. Kentuckians deserve quality health care. 

“The research is clear: states without CON laws are thriving in the health care sector with increased access to higher-quality facilities. Due to CON laws, Kentucky lacks the resources to expand on life-saving health care innovation. At Americans for Prosperity, we’re leading the charge to end CON laws and work with lawmakers to establish solutions that ensure every Kentuckian has access to affordable, high-quality health care.”