Two federal agencies are recommending that Alaska repeal laws that the agencies say may limit competition in the health care market.
The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission weighed in on Alaska’s so-called certificate-of-need laws at state Sen. David Wilson’s request.
The Wasilla Republican has proposed repealing Alaska’s certificate-of-need program.
Alaska’s laws require health care providers to get state approval before spending $1.5 million or more to build a new facility or to expand services.
The federal agencies say the intent of such laws, in Alaska and other states, was to reduce health care costs. But they say such laws generally do not appear to have achieved desired results.
Critics of Wilson’s proposal say the certificate-of-need program may have flaws but that it has provided market stability.