Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

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.

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 Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Department of Health to adopt certificate of need criteria relating to the performance of percutaneous coronary interventions at hospitals that do not provide on-site cardiac surgery.

Hearing Date: 2/26/07

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 requires 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 to 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 when 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: Requested on February 20, 2007.

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