Here are five legislative updates that could affect your surgery center:
A bill allowing patients to stay overnight in ASCs was approved by the Florida Senate Health Policy Committee.
A Florida House of Representatives committee approved a bill that would require hospitals and ASCs to poll staff members about patient safety.
Alaska legislators introduced two bills that would abolish the state's certificate of need program if passed. This is the third year the Alaska legislature will consider bills abolishing CON laws.
Proposed legislation in Arkansas would allow optometrists to perform certain surgeries that are currently only performed by ophthalmologists. Texas optometrists are asking for similar changes.
Stakeholders clashed over proposed changes to Georgia's certificate of need law that would loosen restrictions on ASCs. During a legislative hearing Feb. 14, lawmakers discussed House Bill 198 and Senate Bill 74, which would replace Georgia's CON structure with a less-restrictive licensing framework.