A surgeon group has been denied a certificate of need application to build an ambulatory surgery center in Kenai, Alaska, according to a Peninsula Clarion report.
The surgeon group, Kahtnu Ventures, had applied to build a single-suite, 8,365-square-foot freestanding ambulatory surgical center with a projected cost of just under $9.1 million.
The application was denied because it was determined that "the application has not met the applicable criteria for approval to the satisfaction of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services," according to a copy of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services commissioner's decision (pdf)
The state's CON program staff issued a report (pdf) on Feb. 21 advising the commissioner to deny the application. The report said the recommendation for denial was "based on the fact that the applicant did not clearly outline the cost and size of project, did not define a service area, and failed to show need for additional surgical capacity…"
The group can request a hearing if it is not satisfied with the decision.
The CON application has been heavily debated for the past several months, with Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, lobbying against the project. The state received more than 800 letters of support for the proposed ASC and more than 200 letters in opposition.
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