Updating cardiac care certificate of need requirements.

HB 1979 updates Washington’s certificate of need requirements for hospitals offering elective heart procedures (like angioplasty) without on-site cardiac surgery. It requires the Department of Health to conduct an independent review of safety, access, costs, and training needs - specifically ensuring the University of Washington maintains sufficient procedure volumes for cardiologist training - before setting new rules. The bill also clarifies exemptions for large health plans (with 50,000+ members) and their facilities to offer specialized care without a certificate of need, provided they meet accessibility and patient enrollment criteria. These changes aim to balance hospital flexibility with system stability and equitable patient access to cardiac care.