BILL REQ. #:  S-1360.2 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to regulation of free-standing health clinics; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that free-standing health clinics are an important component of the health care system in Washington state. Many services formerly performed only in hospitals are now performed in such clinics. This may provide Washington residents with increased access to affordable services, but could be detrimental to patient health and safety. Unlike many other states, Washington does not license or otherwise regulate these clinics. It is the intent of the legislature to determine whether licensure and regulation of free-standing health clinics in Washington is appropriate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of health shall study and report on the need for the state to license and regulate free-standing health clinics. The study shall consider:
     (a) Trends in the number and type of procedures performed in free-standing health clinics that at one time were exclusively performed in hospitals;
     (b) The extent to which the lack of state licensing and regulation of free-standing health clinics impacts the health, safety, or welfare of clinic patients;
     (c) The potential statewide impact of licensing and regulation on patient access to affordable care;
     (d) The extent to which free-standing health clinics are subject to licensure and regulation in other states, the nature of that regulation, and evidence of its effect on patient safety and access to affordable care; and
     (e) Any other factors the department of health determines relevant to the question of whether the state should license and regulate free-standing health clinics.
     (2) In conducting the study, the department of health shall consult with all relevant parties and report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2005.
     (3) For purposes of this section, "free-standing health clinic" means any facility not otherwise part of a licensed hospital where advice, counseling, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, care, or services relating to the preservation or maintenance of health are provided on an outpatient basis for a period of less than twenty-four consecutive hours to persons not residing or confined at such facility.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act expires December 31, 2005.