SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 3005

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 24, 2000

Title:  An act relating to revising the methodology applied to certificates of need for rural coronary health centers.

Brief Description:  Allowing for greater coronary health care in certain rural areas.

Sponsors:  Representatives Grant, Mastin, Keiser and Santos.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  2/21/2000, 2/24/2000 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Thibaudeau, Chair; Costa, Franklin and Johnson.

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

Background:  Since 1971 the state has required that new health care facilities and services go through an extensive review process called Certificate of Need (CON) before commencing construction or being implemented.  To obtain a CON, the applicant must prove to the Department of Health that the community needs this service and that the proposal is the best way to meet the needs.  The applicant must also demonstrate financial feasibility and show the new service will be able to deliver high-quality health care.

Among other situations, a CON is required prior to the establishment of new tertiary health services such as open heart surgery, burn units, and organ transplant programs.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Health must revise the methodology applied to CON applications for the tertiary health services of: (1) open heart surgery; (2) therapeutic cardiac catheterization; and (3) percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplasty.  The new methodology must be adopted in rules, and be applied to new applications, replacing the current methodology.

The department must report to the Legislature of the development of the new methodology by July 1, 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill offers those with an interest in cardiology a chance to review whether new methodology is appropriate.  It is consistent with efforts already initiated by the department, and will allow consideration of whether the department=s CON review methodology with regard to certain tertiary services is keeping up with changes in technology.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Grant, prime sponsor; Ron Weaver, Department of Health.