Committee advances CON overhaul (HB 5045) to floor after mixed comments from public health and fiscal members

The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee voted to JF House Bill 5045, a proposed overhaul of Connecticut’s certificate-of-need (CON) process for health-care facility approvals.

Representative Claire DiStitria (speaker 16), identified as the public-health committee’s ranking member on the topic, said the bill represents years of work and urged meaningful change: “Whether you agree with having the certificate of need process or disagree with it, we need to enact meaningful change,” she said. DiStitria also noted responsibility for stakeholder engagement and cautioned she remained hesitant about the final shape of the bill and would vote no on the bill’s policy components while supporting the fiscal review.

Senator Fazio pressed a broader point from the fiscal perspective, saying eliminating CON statewide would likely improve competitive access and reduce health-care costs; he said states that cut CON have seen 5–10% decreases in health-care expenditures. Other members said the committee’s charge today focused on fiscal implications rather than policy reform.

The committee recorded a roll-call vote on HB 5045. The transcript as read aloud recorded 24 yes and 6 no; the chair noted votes would remain open until 5 p.m. The committee placed the bill on the calendar to be JF to the floor for further consideration.