No compromise reached on CON extension

With the federal law requiring state certificate of need laws for expensive medical equipment up for renewal, the 95th Congress debated whether or not to extend the law to cover equipment used in noninstitutional settings. The AHA contended that the exemption for physicians' offices was a loophole that had to be filled; the AMA argued that each state should make its own choice; and Congress couldn't reach a decision. This controversial issue is likely to come up in the 96th Congress.