NAMES IN THE NEWS

NJ Governor Signs Bill into Law Before Leaving Office

JANUARY 15, 2018

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) signed NJ S278 into law during his last days in office. Under this new law, surgical practices are required to apply for a license as an ambulatory care facility. Oversight will switch from the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).

The New Jersey Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (NJAASC) has been working for several sessions to pass this legislation, and worked with stakeholders and legislators to push this bill over the finish line this year. Jeff Shanton, president of NJAASC, praised the passage of this bill stating “this is important as, for the first time, New Jersey would have one UNIFORM standard for ambulatory surgical facilities. Additionally, NJDOH is more experienced and staffed for oversight.”

NJ S278 also exempts one-room facilities from the ambulatory care facility assessment, current physical plant standards (provided they are certified by CMS and/or accredited by any accrediting body recognized by CMS) and initial and renewal license fees. Surgical practices may now be open to investment by non-physicians, and cases may be performed by non-physician owners/partners.

For more information on NJ S278, please write NJAASC.

For information on legislation in your state, please write Ali Legros.