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Bill

K 1333

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 2026, as Ambulatory Surgery Center Month in the State of New York

2025 Regular Session

Requests the Governor to proclaim August 2026 as Ambulatory Surgery Center Month in New York, highlighting ASCs’ role in affordable, accessible outpatient care.

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Bill Summary · K 1333

Overview

  • Type: Assembly Resolution
  • Bill/Resolution Number: A. 1333
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 2026 as Ambulatory Surgery Center Month in the State of New York
  • Sponsor: M. of A. Rules (Paulin)

This measure is a ceremonial resolution requesting the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing August 2026 as Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Month in New York, aligning with National Ambulatory Surgery Center Month.

Purpose and Intent

  • To honor and raise awareness of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and their role in providing outpatient surgical care.
  • To highlight ASCs as a cost-efficient, high-quality alternative to in-hospital procedures and to acknowledge their contributions to patient access, hospital bed capacity preservation, and overall health care system resilience—particularly in the context of resuming elective procedures post-COVID-19.
  • To encourage public awareness of ASCs among New Yorkers and decision-makers.

Key Provisions

  • Memorialization of Governor Hochul to proclaim August 2026 as Ambulatory Surgery Center Month in New York.
  • Alignment with the national observance of National Ambulatory Surgery Center Month.
  • Distribution of copies of the resolution to:
    • The Governor of New York (Kathy Hochul)
    • The New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers
    • The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association

Note: As a memorializing resolution, the bill itself does not mandate new laws, funding, regulatory changes, or programmatic obligations. It functions to request an official proclamation and to recognize the ASC sector.

Background Facts Highlighted

  • As of March 2021, New York state had 165 freestanding ASC facilities (licensed diagnostic and treatment centers).
  • Globally, ASCs have a long history (originating in Phoenix, Arizona) with thousands of facilities nationwide and a substantial workforce.
  • ASCs perform a broad range of procedures (more than 2,000 types), including cataract surgeries, colonoscopies, endoscopies, and orthopedic procedures.
  • Economic and access considerations cited include: cost efficiency, potential reductions in outpatient surgery costs (cited 2014 figure of widespread cost savings), and support for hospital bed capacity by handling non-urgent procedures outside hospitals.
  • Emphasis on ASC workforce and ownership diversity (many small businesses; growing women- and minority-owned representation).

Who/What Is Affected

  • Public recognition and awareness among New Yorkers regarding Ambulatory Surgery Centers.
  • Stakeholders include:
    • Governors and state government for proclamation.
    • ASC facilities and their staff, patients, and communities served.
    • Trade and professional associations (New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers; Ambulatory Surgery Center Association) as recipients of the resolution.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Action history indicates:
    • May 11, 2026: Referred to Calendar
    • May 12, 2026: Adopted
  • The resolution is a ceremonial measure; it does not prescribe regulatory changes or new programs. The substantive action is the formal request for a gubernatorial proclamation designating August 2026 as ASC Month.

Potential Impact

  • Non-binding but symbolically significant recognition of ASCs’ role in New York’s health care landscape.
  • May enhance public awareness of ASCs, potentially supporting discussions about access to outpatient surgical care, cost considerations, and hospital capacity.
  • Could influence stakeholder engagement with policymakers and advocate groups by highlighting the ASC sector's contributions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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