Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 2894
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning certificate of need exemptions for certain ambulatory facilities and centers.
Sponsors: Representatives Schmick and Cody.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 1/30/18
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
Before a health care facility, including an ambulatory surgical facility, may be constructed, renovated, or sold, the Department of Health (DOH) must issue a certificate of need. When determining whether to issue a certificate of need, the DOH must consider a variety of factors, including:
the population's need for the service;
the availability of less costly or more effective methods of providing the service;
the financial feasibility and probable impact of the proposal on the cost of health care in the community;
the need and availability of services and facilities for physicians and patients in the community;
the efficiency and appropriateness of the use of existing similar services and facilities; and
improvements in the financing and delivery of health services that contain costs and promote quality assurance.
For purposes of the certificate of need program, the DOH has defined "ambulatory surgical facility" as any free-standing entity, including an ambulatory surgery center that operates primarily for the purpose of performing surgical procedures to treat patients not requiring hospitalization. The term does not include a facility in the offices of private physicians or dentist if the privilege of using the facility is not extended to physicians or dentists outside the individual or group practice.
On January 19, 2018, the DOH issued an interpretive statement regarding ambulatory surgical facilities owned and exclusively used by physicians. According to the statement, such ambulatory surgical facilities are not exempt from certificate of need review.
Summary of Bill:
The DOH may not require a certificate of need for an ambulatory surgical facility or center wholly owned, fully operated, and used exclusively by a practice of physicians or dentists with two or fewer operating rooms and no more than two surgical specialties.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.