Trump spurs states to dump laws regulating new hospitals

What happened: The Trump administration tied federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding to states ending or loosening certificate of need laws, which regulate new hospital construction. Six states indicated plans to revisit their laws. Key numbers: More than 30 states plus Washington, D.C. Why it matters: The funding approach has forced states to reckon with the laws quickly, and Tennessee acted after facing the loss of federal funding. A researcher warned that repeal could leave states without insight into hospital ownership and finances.

The Trump administration tied federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding to states ending or loosening certificate of need laws, which regulate new hospital construction. Six states indicated plans to revisit their laws.

The funding approach has forced states to reckon with the laws quickly, and Tennessee acted after facing the loss of federal funding. A researcher warned that repeal could leave states without insight into hospital ownership and finances.