Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott passed a law June 10 establishing a licensing structure for ASCs, Vermont Business Magazine reports.
Five key details:
1. The legislation, S.73, requires ASCs to operate in accordance with rules developed by the state health department, and stipulates that the department can deny, suspend or revoke licensing for failure to comply, VTDigger reported earlier this year.
2. S.73 also says ASCs should be managed by a medical director who is a physician. Nurses must be supervised by a state-licensed registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse at all times.
3. In February, ASC manager Amy Cooper told VTDigger that S.73 aligns with other states' requirements. Ms. Cooper had input in the legislation; she participated in a work group that lawmakers assembled after abandoning a previous proposal.
4. In 2018, lawmakers proposed a set of regulations that would have imposed a 6 percent provider tax on surgery center revenues. The proposal was ultimately dropped.
5. Vermont's only operational ASC is South Burlington-based Vermont Eye Surgery and Laser Center. Ms. Cooper's Green Mountain Surgery Center is slated to open this year in Colchester.