An amendment has been added to an Iowa spending bill that would allow ophthalmologist Lee Birchansky, MD, ABES, to operate a surgery center in Cedar Rapids, according to a Des Moines Register report.
Dr. Birchansky has been seeking a certificate of need to own and operate a surgery center since 1996. After his first CON application to build a surgery center was denied, Dr. Birchansky built surgical suites at his ophthalmology practice, Fox Eye Laser and Cosmetic Institute, and operated them through a partnership with a local hospital. That partnership ended in 2004.
Dr. Birchansky has seen his CON application denied four times between 1996 and 2008. He challenged the denials, and even saw one of his cases proceed to the state Supreme Court, but he lost that challenge as well.
Iowa House Republican lawmakers recently added the amendment that would solely provide Dr. Birchansky an exception to the CON process and allow him to perform ophthalmology procedures in the surgical suites. Legislators are currently negotiating the spending bill to which the amendment is attached.
Related Articles on New Surgery Centers:
MA's Winchester Hospital Set to Open New Surgery Center
New LA Surgery Center Coming to Metairie
Orthopedic Device Manufacturer Arthrex Considers Building FL Surgery Center in Naples