CHARLESTON, WV- A bill to repeal the state’s certificate of need laws has died in committee.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay, 62) introduced House Bill 2007 on February 18, 2025. It was sent to the House Health and Human Resources Committee, where it died on Monday night with a 12 to 13 vote.
The bill was introduced at the request of West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who mentioned repealing certificates of need and other healthcare red tape in his first State of the State address.
A certificate of need indicates that new and existing health providers must obtain government approval to build, expand, or offer a new service. It’s a decades-old system that the Mountain State first implemented in 1977.
Some states have repealed certificate of need laws, but 35 states continue to have some form of certificate of need law on the books.
Delegates in the lower chamber were divided on whether to repeal the certificate of need.
“In my opinion, we do not need to get rid of certificates of need; rather, we need to reform them. Delegate Scot Heckert (R-Wood, 013) said, “Streamline it and ensure that services reach rural counties.” “The way it’s set up now, with a full repeal from the governor’s office, there is no guarantee of who will come. If you ask for a business model or a plan, you’ll get no response.”
“It’s very divisive and not straightforward. Certificates of need are extremely complex. It deserves debate, discussion, and all stakeholders in the room,” said Delegate Evan Worrell (R-Cabell, 023). “I personally want to repeal the certificate of need, but I only have one vote. We will ensure that debate occurs so that we can make informed decisions.”
While HB 2007 has died, SB 453 remains alive in the Senate and has the potential to repeal the certificate of need. Senate President Randy Smith (R-Preston, 14) and Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel (D-Cabell, 05) introduced the bill, which was also requested by the governor.
The West Virginia Hospital Association issued the following statement regarding the bill:
“We would like to thank legislators for demonstrating their unwavering commitment to prioritizing healthcare access for all West Virginians by rejecting House Bill 2007. Their actions to not repeal Certificate of Need through this bill signify a clear understanding of how vital accessible healthcare is to the wellbeing of our communities and the future of our state. We look forward to working collaboratively with Governor Morrisey and the entire Legislature as we strive to ensure that every West Virginian has access to the quality care they deserve. Together, we can build on this foundation to create an even stronger healthcare delivery system that serves all residents, regardless of where they live or their economic circumstances.”West Virginia Hosptial Association
