Opinion ID: 1432114
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Wyoming's New Institutional Health Services Act

Text: The state law, enacted in 1977 and amended in 1981, provides for notice to persons affected by a certificate-of-need decision and directs the Board to conduct a public meeting: (e) At the beginning of a review, the department will provide written notification to affected persons, including the public who are to be served by the new institutional health service. This notice will be published in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the area of the proposed location of the new institutional health service and will provide the proposed review schedule and the procedure for interested parties to submit written comments. Section 35-2-206(e), W.S. 1977. (f) For an application requiring board review a public meeting shall be held concerning each certificate of need application and will be conducted by the board. The department will publish the time and place of the public meeting and the procedure for participation by the public in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the area affected. If deemed necessary by the board, the public meeting shall be held in the area affected. Section 35-2-206(f), W.S. 1977, 1984 Cum.Supp. The agency rules broadly define affected person: `Affected Person' means, at a minimum, the applicant, health care facilities, the public affected by a proposed project and organizations, political subdivisions and state agencies designated by the Board and Department to conduct reviews. Chapter I, § 3a(3), Rules and Regulations, supra. The rules describe the public meeting as an opportunity for the applicant and other interested parties to speak, followed by questioning from the Board. No provision is made for sworn testimony, cross-examination or representation by counsel at public meetings, although such meetings are to be recorded. Chapter IX, Rules and Regulations, supra. Section 35-2-208(a), W.S. 1977, 1984 Cum. Supp., of the state Act provides for a fair hearing following the denial of a certificate of need, if requested by the applicant or affected party: (a) The board is authorized to deny a certificate of need in any case in which the board has determined that the applicant has not demonstrated sufficient justification for the new institutional health services, or has not met the requirements established by this act [§§ 35-2-201 through 35-2-214] and the rules and regulations adopted. Notice shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant setting forth the reasons for the denial. The decision denying the application shall become final thirty (30) days after it is mailed unless the applicant or affected party, within the thirty (30) day period, appeals in writing the decision by requesting a fair hearing. Subject to an appeal to the district court pursuant to W.S. 35-2-214, the denial shall be in effect for one (1) year. Following the one (1) year denial period the applicant may resubmit the application for review. All resubmitted applications shall be treated by the department as a new application. (Emphasis added.) The considerably broader administrative rules provide for a fair hearing following any Board decision: Any person, partnership, association, corporation, or any state, county or local governmental entities or any division, department, board or agency who is aggrieved or adversely affected by the decision of the Board or Department shall be given opportunity for a hearing as prescribed by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and the New Institutional Health Service Act. Chapter XVI, § 1a, Rules and Regulations, supra. Section 35-2-214 of the state Act authorizes judicial review of a Board decision concerning a certificate of need. Respondents in the instant case assert that the Board, by conducting the public meeting, afforded Lander Valley all of the procedural safeguards to which it was entitled under state law. Respondents contend that the Board rules and regulations, which envision a fair hearing for one in Lander Valley's position, impermissibly exceed statutory authority and are invalid. [1] The hearing officer, appointed at the request of Lander Valley, found this reasoning sound and stayed further administrative proceedings pending judicial resolution of the matter.