"CON" is an acronym for "Certificate of Need".  CON is defined as an approval (or permission) by a governor-appointed board granted to a healthcare-related entity to proceed with a construction/renovation project, that often includes new or expanded services and equipment and exceeds a threshold amount established by NH Statute. 

CON was originally a federal program established in the 1970s to regulate healthcare construction and renovation – an effort to control healthcare spending by rationally allocating and avoiding duplication of healthcare services. The program was eliminated by the federal government during the 1980s, however, many states elected to continue such regulation, NH among them.

The enabling NH Statute for HSPR outlines the healthcare market activities to be regulated.  Specific rules (or regulations) are developed for each defined healthcare facility, service and diagnostic or therapeutic equipment item (usually of an emerging technology) whenever the capital expenditure for a proposal exceeds the annually inflation-adjusted threshold amount.  Additionally, NH Statute directs the development of standards for the transfer of ownership of healthcare facilities, new inpatient service offerings and for increases or conversion of inpatient beds.

The Governor and Executive Council appoint candidates to the Health Services Planning and Review Board.  The composition of the Board's membership is specified by statute as follows:

1 Healthcare Insurer Representative

4 Consumers

1 Hospital Representative

1 Nursing Home Representative

1 Ambulatory Surgical Facility Representative

1 Representative from the DHHS Commissioner's Office

1 County Official

Appointments for Board membership are staggered and no member is appointed for more than 2 terms.  The Commissioner (or designee) is the only permanent member of the Board.

Assistance to the Board is provided by staff in the Office of HSPR.  HSPR staff receive all Board correspondence, including requests for Board review and CON applications, and make recommendations on projects that may or may not require Board review.  Staff also prepare the Board agenda, provide technical assistance to applicants, provide public information, assist with legislation, collect healthcare data and draft Administrative Rules for Board approval.

The HSPR Board meets approximately once per month to consider business pertaining to the CON program.  Anyone seeking to address the HSPR Board must submit a letter of request to the Office of Health Services Planning and Review.  Letters should be submitted on identifying letterhead and include the name, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the requestor.  Requestors should also detail the nature of the request and include any attachments to assist in clarifying the issue. 

CON applicants must use the CON application.  Likewise, any person seeking a Not Subject to Review (NSR) determination must follow the NSR guidelines in accordance with NH Administrative Rules.  After HSPR staff review and approve the request, it will be placed on the agenda of the next available Board meeting.  The requestor will be notified in writing of the date and time of such meeting.

Yes.  All Board meetings and Board subcommittee meetings are open to the public.