What you should know:
1. The committee considered a provider tax and a proposal that would grant the state’s approval body budgetary review powers.
2. Advocates for independent surgery centers oppose both measures.
3. The provider tax would be a 6 percent tax footed by the surgery center. Because surgery centers operate at smaller margins than their hospital counterparts, the tax could make a significant impact on their bottom lines.
4. Granting the state review board budgetary approval powers would likely force surgery centers to write off a portion of their profits to fund the state review board.
5. Rep. Lori Houghton, D-Essex Junction, said the budgetary approval powers proposal would be implemented slowly to allow the board time to come up with an ASC-specific budgetary approval process.
6. The committee will hear testimony from the state’s two ASCs at a future meeting.
More articles on surgery centers:
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At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.