SRC-MSY S.B. 594 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 594
78R5195 JTS-DBy: Van de Putte
Health & Human Services
3/20/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The current definition of  "ambulatory surgical center" in the Health and
Safety Code can be interpreted to prevent a patient undergoing outpatient
surgery from staying in such a center past midnight, regardless of when
the surgery took place or the condition of the patient.  As proposed, S.B.
594 changes the definition of  "ambulatory surgical center" to allow
patients to stay overnight in such facilities, while still restricting the
general stay to 24 hours or less after the completion of the procedure. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 243.002(1), Health and Safety Code, by
redefining "ambulatory surgical center" as a facility that operates
primarily to provide surgical services to patients who require a recovery
period of 24 hours or less after the completion of the patient's
procedure, rather than patients who do not require overnight hospital
care. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.