Taking the CON out of Pennsylvania: Did hip/knee replacement patients benefit? A retrospective analysis

We analyze the effects of Certificate of Need (CON) laws on outcomes for hip and knee replacement procedures. Federal CON programs began in 1974 to stem rising health care costs by limiting hospital expansion and acquisition of equipment. The federal requirement for CON programs ended in 1987; however, 36 states and DC still maintain various forms of CON programs. In 1996, Pennsylvania (PA) let its CON law expire. We use data from the National...