Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 1460

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: Regarding critical access hospitals not subject to certificate of need review.

Sponsors: Representatives Morrell, Anderson, Bailey and Cody.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Exempts from the certificate of need process up to 25 beds in a critical access hospital that is located in a city or town without a nursing home in the city or town limits.

Hearing Date: 2/12/09

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191)

Background:

A certificate of need is required before:

When determining whether to issue a certificate of need, the Department of Health must consider:

A critical access hospital (a hospital in a rural area serving medically an under-served area) may increase its total number of beds to the total permitted by federal law or redistribute its beds among acute and nursing care without obtaining a certificate of need. If, however, there is a licensed nursing home within 27 miles of the critical access hospital, the hospital is subject to certificate of need except for:

Summary of Bill:

A critical access hospital within 27 miles of a licensed nursing home is not subject to certificate of need review for up to 25 swing beds if there is no licensed nursing home within the same city or town limits as the hospital.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.