Committee approves repeal of nursing-home certificate-of-need after competing testimony

The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Friday voted to advance House Bill 289, which would repeal Wyoming’s certificate-of-need (CON) restrictions for nursing-home construction and bed expansion. The committee approved the bill after hearing testimony from the Department of Health, nursing-home operators, trade groups and advocacy organizations.

Representative Rob Garinger, sponsor of HB 289 and representative for House District 42 in southwest Laramie County, told the committee the repeal would remove what he described as “arbitrary” limits that can block facility growth and noted the Department of Health would still enforce health and safety standards and report back to the Legislature by 2029.

Why it matters: The CON statute determines when new nursing facilities or expansions may proceed by applying geographic and occupancy thresholds. Supporters said repeal would increase access and competition; providers and trade groups warned repeal could worsen workforce shortages, destabilize rural providers and shift higher-margin post-acute care away from low-margin long-term custodial care.

Key details and testimony

• Department of Health data: Stefan Johansen,…