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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 26, 2013 11:20 AM
From:	Representative Bryan Cutler and Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio
To:	All House members
Subject:	Hospital Licensure

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation amending the Health Care Facilities Act which governs the way hospitals are inspected and licensed in Pennsylvania. As you may know, hospitals throughout Pennsylvania are required to undergo licensing inspections from the Department of Health (DOH), but also voluntarily undergo accreditation (versus licensing) inspections from professional organizations governing hospital standards. These DOH and accreditation inspections can be conducted without any prior notice, are duplicative of each other, and drive up hospital overhead costs by diverting hospital personnel from their normal work duties in order to provide documentation required by inspectors. To eliminate the redundant nature of multiple licensing and accreditation surveys we are proposing legislation under which the state will have the authority to grant “deemed status” licensure to facilities accredited by an approved national accredited organization. The Department of Health would retain oversight over construction and renovation plans, as well as, any complaints filed against a hospital, regardless of whether they have obtained “deemed status” for the purposes of licensure. Those hospitals which are not accredited would still be subject to the Department of Health’s licensure regulations. We hope you will join us in this initiative.

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