Health Resources Planning Commission regulation of ambulatory surgical care

Economic and technological factors have combined to encourage the development of freestanding centers where ambulatory surgery is performed. These centers have been highly competitive with hospitals. Over the past five years, there has been pressure to regulate the freestanding centers extensively, primarily through Maryland's Health Resources Planning Commission, which currently has authority to issue Certificates of Need for the development of multispecialty and some single-specialty ambulatory surgery centers. This article reflects the position of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland regarding regulation and development of these centers and highlights the expected continuing discussions and developments before the Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission and the legislature.