Washington State Hospital Ass'n v. Department of Health

González, J.

¶1 Under Washington law, Department of Health approval is required for certain types of hospital ownership changes. We are asked today whether the department exceeded its authority when it, by rule, significantly expanded the types of ownership changes that require department approval. Finding that it did, we affirm.

Facts

¶2 The Washington Legislature enacted the certificate of need program in 1979 to “promote, maintain, and assure the health of all citizens in the state, provide accessible health services, health manpower, health facilities, and other resources while controlling…