Opinion ID: 1900201
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Department's Reliance on Improper Criteria In Reaching Its Decision

Text: The plaintiffs contend that the Commissioner relied on criteria not permitted by state or federal law in evaluating the applications. Specifically, the plaintiffs state that the impermissible factors include the quality of developers, the experience of the parties, the availability of respite and hospice care, and the effect on competition for health services. The plaintiffs assert that the use of these factors is impermissible because they are not expressly listed in state or federal statutes. Title 22 M.R.S.A. § 309(2) does list several criteria, but instructs that the department shall consider them among other criteria. The Commissioner is authorized, therefore, to consider factors not expressly listed as long as these factors rationally relate to the purposes of the Certification Act. Federal law, similarly, allows for exercise of the Commissioner's discretion. See 42 U.S.C.A. § 300n-1(c) (1974-1980 Supp.Pamphlet). Therefore, the Commissioner acted properly.