Amends the definition of "ambulatory outpatient surgical center" to remove the requirement that a surgical procedure is permitted to be performed only by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist who has certain hospital privileges. Prohibits a hospital, debt collector, or other third party from pursuing medical debt collection if the hospital is noncompliant with specified statutes. Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to determine on a semiannual basis whether a hospital is in compliance with the statutes and notify a hospital concerning the state department's compliance determination. Requires a hospital to provide notice to patients concerning medical debt collection and establishes a deceptive act for failure to do so. Authorizes the attorney general to suspend the authority of a hospital to pursue medical debt collection when the state department has determined that the hospital is noncompliant and allows the attorney general to bring any action against a hospital for a deceptive act of pursuing medical debt while there is a noncompliance determination. Creates an affirmative defense for a debtor if the collection attempt occurred while the hospital was noncompliant. Requires a hospital to provide the state department with 120 days written notice if the hospital plans to: (1) close and permanently terminate hospital operations; or (2) eliminate or reduce a service line for longer than 90 days. Requires notice of the closure or reduction to be provided to certain state agencies and local units.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Senate Bill (S): 16-18-2-14