Here are four legislative updates for ASC leaders to note from May and June.
Alaska ASCs to face 5% reimbursement cut in 2018
In 2018, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will lower payments for ASCs, inpatient hospitals and outpatient hospitals by 5 percent.
Ophthalmologist seeking ASC approval challenges Iowa's 40-year-old CON legislation
Ophthalmologist Lee Birchansky, MD, his patient Michael Jensen and Orange City, Iowa-based Korver Ear Nose and Throat are among those who filed a lawsuit against the Iowa Department of Public Health regarding the state's certificate-of-need legislation. The law's stipulation requiring physicians to obtain a CON before opening an ASC has impacted Dr. Birchansky's practice. The state has denied his application four times to open an ASC next to his office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Physician-owned hospital bill introduced in Senate
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., introduced legislation in the Senate to improve access to physician-led hospitals. The act would repeal the moratorium on physician-owned hospitals that was enacted in 2010 as part of the ACA.
North Carolina's CON legislation up for debate
North Carolina's Senate is considering legislation that would eliminate the state's certificate-of-need laws. CON opponents say the laws prevent competition in local regions. By repealing the CON system, competition would allow acute-care hospitals, diagnostic centers and rehabilitation centers to offer new services.