| 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 |
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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.