HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2304
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.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to criteria for the issuance of a certificate of need for certain cardiac care services.
Brief Description: Providing for the issuance of a certificate of need for certain cardiac care services.
Sponsors: Representatives Morrell, Quall, McDonald, Bailey, Grant, Walsh, Haler, McCune, Seaquist, McDermott, Kenney, Cody, Darneille, Dunn, Schual-Berke, Kessler, Conway, Springer, Hudgins, Green, Blake, Rodne, Goodman, Campbell, VanDeWege, Williams, Hunter, Takko and Moeller.
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/26/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Condotta, Curtis, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
Percutaneous coronary interventions are procedures used to treat patients with diseased
arteries of the heart. One common intervention is coronary angioplasty. This medical
procedure is used to restore blood flow through an artery in the heart that has been blocked
due to the accumulation of plaque on the inner walls of the artery. The procedure involves
the insertion of a thin tube into a blood vessel which is directed to the site of the blockage.
At the end of the tube is a small balloon or other device which is inflated to push the plaque
against the wall of the artery to widen the artery and increase blood flow.
In Washington, only hospitals that have an established on-site open heart surgery program
may perform nonemergent interventional cardiology procedures. Open heart surgery relates
to the care of patients who have surgery on the heart muscle, valves, arteries, or other
structures and require the use of a heart lung bypass machine. Open heart surgery is
considered a tertiary service which requires that a hospital receive a certificate of need from
the Department of Health (Department) prior to offering these services. To obtain a
certificate of need to provide open heart surgery services, the hospital must perform a
minimum of 250 open heart surgeries per year.
Summary of Bill:
By July 1, 2008, the Department must adopt rules that establish criteria for issuing a
certificate of need to perform elective percutaneous coronary interventions at hospitals that
do not provide on-site cardiac surgery. Prior to beginning the rulemaking process, the
Department must contract for an independent, evidence-based review of the circumstances in
which elective percutaneous coronary interventions should be allowed at hospitals that do not
provide on-site cardiac surgery. The review must address access to care, patient safety,
quality outcomes, costs, and the stability of Washington's cardiac care delivery system and
existing cardiac providers.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill will develop rules with consideration to the latest evidence and the
state's cardiac system as a whole. This will establish a solid framework for the identification
of levels of cardiac care across the state.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Morrell, prime sponsor.