Zara, Mongell named to CON Study Review Panel

Jan. 13, 2012

Providence Hospitals CEO George Zara named to CON Review Panel

The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Board has appointed a Certificate of Need (CON) Review Panel to study the CON process, the statutory requirement and the CON regulations. Providence Hospitals CEO George Zara and Colleton Medical Center CEO Mitch Mongell are two of the 23 members of the panel. SCHA members Mark Lyles of the Medical University and Doug Bowling of Roper St. Francis Healthcare are also among the panelists.

The DHEC Board announced last fall its intention to form the Blue Ribbon panel to study the CON process and report back to the Board regarding the need for CON, the consequences of repealing the act, the strengths and weaknesses of the CON process and ways to build on the strengths and correct the weaknesses, if it is determined that South Carolina's CON process plays an important role.

The CON program was designed in part to prevent the wasteful duplication of medical facilities and services.

"Overall, we feel these selections by the DHEC Board provide a good cross-section of professionals either directly involved with health care or with a good working knowledge of health care," said SCHA Senior Vice President Jimmy Walker.

The South Carolina Hospital Association and its member hospitals pledge our support of the study committee's work and urge the General Assembly to table any proposed legislation that would impact CON until the DHEC Board has had a chance to study the committee's recommendations, including a bill that was pre-filed by Senate Majority Leader and Chairman of Medical Affairs, Sen. Harvey Peeler. The SCHA also urges the General Assembly to approve the regulations proposed by DHEC that will allow the agency to go forward with the implementation of amendments already passed by the legislature.

The State Health Plan limits how many certificates may be awarded, with officials giving consideration to a project's revenues, community need, any adverse effects on other facilities, financial feasibility and other factors.

The first meeting of this panel has not been scheduled at this time.

Below are the members of the panel and the specific areas they were selected to represent.