SB 6724 - DIGEST

     Requires the department of health, in cooperation with the house of representatives health care committee, to evaluate the state's future role in identifying and evaluating community needs and capacity for health facilities and services.

     Finds that ambulatory surgical centers have provided the citizens of Washington state access to various routine surgical and similar invasive medical procedures not requiring hospitalization, resulting in reduced health care costs consistent with the intent of health care reform.  However, the delivery of these services may put patients at risk due to the invasive nature of the procedures performed or the use of general anesthesia and the short patient recovery time prior to discharge.

     Declares an intent of the legislature to protect the citizens of Washington state by licensing ambulatory surgical centers and by adopting and enforcing minimum standards for ambulatory surgical centers.