JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee approved 9 applications for new Certificates of Need (CON) and 4 CON extensions today, including replacing robotic surgery systems at St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City and 30 additional beds for Alzheimer’s patients in Sedalia, Mo.
A certificate for over $4 million for a 3rd MRI Unit at Independence’s The Children’s Mercy Hospital was approved. Board member Sen. Paul LeVota (D-Independence) was thrilled.
“This is in my district,” LeVota said. “Thank you for all the services that will add to Independence and the area east of 435 – all the way to Columbia.”
The second application was from the district of Sen. Mike Parson (R-Pettis), who also sits on the board. Parson was happy to support the expansion of an existing facility in Sedalia to include 30 additional beds for Alzheimer’s patients. The facility – Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center II – has been operating at over 93% for many years.
“This is a continuation of what Mrs. Thompson wanted in her will,” said the application presenter. “I’m hoping with your support we can continue to do what her will stated. It will fulfill a real need.”
The application had a large showing of support in the audience, including the Sedalia mayor and many staff members of the facility.
The third application also saw a legislative presence. Rep. Donna Lichtenegger was present and testified in support of an application to establish a 58-bed assisted living facility in Jackson, Mo.
The remaining 6 applications were approved without much contest, while 4 additional applications for extensions were granted after discussion.
The committee meets 6 times a year and is composed of 9 members, including: The Honorable Judith Grace O’Connor, The Honorable Marsha Campbell, Dr. Marty Vollmar, William Krodinger, Reps. Penny Hubbard (D-Kansas City) and Caleb Jones (R-California), and Sens. Mike Parson (R-Sedalia) and Paul LeVota (R-Indendence). The committee has one vacant spot – five of the 9 spots are appointed by the governor and cannot be more than 3 of the same political party. Two representatives and two senators join the committee – one from each political party. The board members serve 2 year terms after confirmation by the Senate, but staff told The Missouri Times afterwards that most members serve beyond their initial term.
The committee grants CONs in order to aid in the prevention of duplicated health care services.
“The Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee’s mission is cost containment through health cost management, assurance of community need and the prevention of unnecessary duplication of health care services,” reads their website. “Certificate of Need is based on a goal of public accountability through review of proposed health care services, value promotion, and negotiation among competing interests.”
Today’s agenda:
New Business: Full applications
1. #5063 HS: The Children’s Mercy Hospital, Independence (Jackson County) – $4,103,239, Add 3rd MRI Unit
2. #5072 NS: Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center II, Sedalia (Pettis County) – $7,500,000, Establish 60-bed SNF
3. #5075 RS: Villas of Jackson, Jackson (Cape Girardeau County) – $6,500,000, Establish 58-bed ALF
4. #5071 RS: Harbor Place, Warrenton (Warren County) -$1,300,000, Establish 36-bed RCF
5. #5066 RS: Wagner Residential Care, Fredericktown (Madison County), $345,491, Add 10 RCF beds
6. #5077 RS: Carthage Assisted Living, Carthage (Jasper County) – $6,500,000, Establish 50-bed ALF
7. #5079 NS: Green Hills Care Center, Kansas City (Platte County) – $13,246,000, Establish 120-bed SNF
8. #5073 HS – St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City (Jackson County) – $1,840,000, Replace Robotic Surgery System
9. #5074 HS – St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City (Jackson County) – $1,850,000, Replace Robotic Surgery System
Previous Business
1. #4535 NS: LSL-SC SNF, O’Fallon (St. Charles County) – $15,960,420, Voluntary Forfeiture of CON to establish a 240-bed skilled nursing facility (SNF).
2. #4828 RS: PVL Quarry, St. Louis (St. Louis County) – $13,000,000, Third extension on CON to establish 60-bed ALF
3. #4921 HS: Alliance Oncology, LLC, Joplin (Jasper County) – $5,482,187, Second extension on CON to replace linear accelerator
4. #4739 RS: Avalon Memory Care, LLC, St. Louis (St. Louis County) – $5,399,868, Fifth Extension on CON to establish 60-bed ALF
There was not a closed session. The committee will meet next on November 3.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
