Ambulatory surgery centers in Massachusetts say their industry could be under threat from state regulators seeking to give their competition — hospitals — an advantage, according to a Boston Herald report.
Linda Rahm, president of the Massachusetts Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, the Department of Public Health has proposed a regulation that would require ASCs to obtain state approval (a "determination of need") before expanding.
Hospitals are only required to seek a determination of need if their expansions are valued at more than $25 million. The result is that hospitals would be able to offer more and more outpatient surgery beds without having to handle the same obstacles.
Ms. Rahm says the legislation would "eventually phase out ASCs" by giving hospitals an unfair advantage. The Public Health Council, a state board of public health officials, is due to vote on the proposed change this morning.
Department of Public Health officials contend that the proposed regulation would simply subject ambulatory surgery centers to levels of review required by a 2008 state law.
Related Articles on Surgery Center Legislation:
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Linda Rahm, president of the Massachusetts Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, the Department of Public Health has proposed a regulation that would require ASCs to obtain state approval (a "determination of need") before expanding.
Hospitals are only required to seek a determination of need if their expansions are valued at more than $25 million. The result is that hospitals would be able to offer more and more outpatient surgery beds without having to handle the same obstacles.
Ms. Rahm says the legislation would "eventually phase out ASCs" by giving hospitals an unfair advantage. The Public Health Council, a state board of public health officials, is due to vote on the proposed change this morning.
Department of Public Health officials contend that the proposed regulation would simply subject ambulatory surgery centers to levels of review required by a 2008 state law.
Related Articles on Surgery Center Legislation:
CMS Moves Forward With Data Reporting Requirement for ASCs
Massachusetts Could Regulate Reimbursement Rates for Physicians, Hospitals
Tennessee Pain Management Bill Neglects Underserved Areas, CRNA Says
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