Winchester, Virginia and Valley Health System are examples of why the COPN should be repealed.  Here is the history:

Winchester Medical Center (Valley Health) opened an ambulatory surgery center (ASC)  in the mid 1980's.  A new hospital was then constructed around the ASC in 1990. The ASC operated independently until 2014 when VHS/WMC incorporated it into the "Main OR"  to increase costs  Hospital OR rates.  There was only a change in "name only" and my patients saw staggering increase in costs.

In 2014, physicians attempted to get a COPN to re-open an ASC in Winchester.  It was challenged by VHS/WMC and due to the process of COPN in Virginia,  the VA Dept of Health issued a new COPN to VHS/WMC to open an ASC when in fact VHS/WMC had just closed an ASC.  Please explain how this system works?  How this benefits the community?  How maintaining monopoly control of health care services/facilities benefits the community?  How can the COPN process be shown to control health care costs?

Please repeal the entire COPN process.  Thanks

Curtis A. Winter, MD

Winchester, Virginia