Doctor Challenges North Carolina’s Healthcare Monopoly Law | Durham News

An eye surgeon in North Carolina is taking on the state’s certificate-of-need law — a decades-old rule that blocks new healthcare facilities unless approved by government regulators. Dr. Jay Singleton, who’s performed eye surgeries for over 20 years, was denied the ability to operate at his own clinic because officials claimed there wasn’t “proven need” for more surgical capacity — even though patients were waiting. He sued in 2020, arguing the law violates anti-monopoly protections and stifles patient choice. After a rollercoaster through the courts — including a recent setback from a three-judge panel — Singleton’s team is appealing again. He’s not alone: a similar case failed in 2018 due to funding issues. Advocates like the Institute for Justice say these laws are outdated and hurt access, while lawmakers like Senator Benton Sawrey push to repeal them — though hospital lobbyists warn rural facilities would suffer without them. Meanwhile, small reforms have emerged, like removing certificate requirements for mental health centers and speeding up bed approvals — but the bigger fight continues as North Carolina weighs whether to let competition reshape its healthcare landscape. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Sources: https://carolinapublicpress.org/80662/fixing-ncs-troubled-hospital-approval-system/ More coverage & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/4203b348788509d5 Report issues to [email protected].