The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has adopted a new regulation which is integral for a range of health facilities, encapsulating clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities, who submit applications via the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) process. This development, initially proposed in April 2023, became effective on June 22, 2023. The regulation mandates the inclusion of a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) as part of the CON process.
The primary aim of the HEIA is to assure the active engagement and due consideration of community members and stakeholders in proposed facility projects. It is an instrument to maintain transparency and equitable provision of health services and infrastructure.
This pivotal development was discussed and analyzed by Hodgson Russ LLP, indicating its significance in the broader realm of healthcare and its implications on transparency, community involvement and overall health equity.