Sec. 1. 22 MRSA c. 103, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA c. 103-A is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 103-A

CERTIFICATE OF NEED

§326.__Short title

This chapter is known and may be cited as the "Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2001."

§327.__Declaration of findings and purposes

1.__Findings. The Legislature finds that:

A.__Unnecessary construction or modification of health care facilities and duplication of health services are substantial factors in the cost of health care and the ability of the public to obtain necessary medical services; and

B.__Health facility investments in primary and secondary preventive health care services should accompany the expansion of health care facilities, expenditures for major medical equipment and the addition of new health care services.

2.__Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are to:

A.__Support effective health planning;

B.__Support the provision of quality health care in a manner that ensures access to cost-effective services;

C.__Support reasonable choice in health care services while avoiding excessive duplication;

D.__Ensure that state funds are used prudently in the provision of health care services;

E.__Ensure public participation in the process of determining the array, distribution, quantity, quality and cost of these health care services;

F.__Improve the availability of health care services throughout the State;