Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that exempts certain hospital emergency services from certificates of need.

Highlights:

• Defines “Hospital Services” as in-patient services; out-patient services; emergency room services; surgical services; diagnostic and imaging services; and laboratory services provided on the hospital’s campus (Sec. 16-2D-10).

• Exempts the following health services from needing certificates of need or authorization from authorities in order to be administered (Sec. 16-2D-10):

• The creation of a private office of one or more licensed health professionals to practice in the state;

•  Dispensaries and first-aid stations located within business or industrial establishments  maintained solely for the use of employees that does not contain inpatient or resident beds for patients or employees who generally remain in the facility for more than 24 hours;

• A place that provides remedial care or treatment of residents or patients conducted only for those who rely solely upon treatment by prayer or spiritual means in accordance with the creed or tenets of any recognized church or religious denomination;

• Telehealth;

• A facility owned or operated by one or more health professionals authorized or ambulatory health care facility which offers laboratory services or diagnostic imaging to patients regardless of the cost associated with the proposal.

•  Establishes that to qualify for the aforementioned exemption 75 percent of the laboratory services are for the patients of the practice or ambulatory health care facility of the total laboratory services performed and 75 percent of diagnostic imaging services are for the patients of the practice or ambulatory health care facility of the total imaging services performed (Sec. 16-2D-10).

Full Bill Text