Iowa lawmakers pass bill that would exempt hospitals

Iowa hospitals would not have to get public approval for the construction of new facilities under a bill that lawmakers passed during the final hours of the 2008 legislative session. The requirement eliminated under the measure applies to the state's 82 small, rural hospitals. Previously, the facilities have had to submit to public hearings and obtain a certificiate of need from the state before relocating to newly constructed replacement hospitals. The new legislation would enable Iowa's 82 critical-access hospitals to bypass the certificate-of-need process, said Iowa Department of Public Health officials.