A new statewide poll shows most Connecticut voters are opposed to the 6 percent tax on ASCs that went into effect on Oct. 1, according to Connecticut Citizens for Affordable Health Care.
Here are five key notes:
1. There were 400 Connecticut voters surveyed and 81 percent of the respondents disapproved of the tax, which could force ASCs to operate at a financial loss.
2. There were 67 percent of the respondents are more likely to support policymakers who would repeal the tax.
3. Three-quarters of the respondents reported being less likely to vote for state legislators who oppose repeal.
4. In general, the Connecticut voters oppose tax increases, especially taxes on healthcare services.
5. In 2013, freestanding outpatient surgery centers hosted more than 210,000 procedures in orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, urology, endoscopy, colonoscopy, pain management and gynecology, among other treatments, at a lower cost than hospital outpatient departments.
"This new double tax on our centers, which already pay sales and local property taxes, could mean closures, cutbacks and staff layoffs, which would force patients to undergo their surgical procedures at more expansive surgery settings," said North Haven Surgery Center Administrator Susan Bojka. "We are asking our elected officials to recognize the flawed nature of this tax and promptly repeal it, for the benefit of patients, taxpayers and our healthcare system."