EMS-FREESTANDING EMERG CENTER

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall issue an annual Freestanding Emergency Center (FEC) license to any facility that is located: (A) in a municipality with a population of 75,000 or fewer inhabitants; (B) within 15 miles of the hospital that owns or controls the FEC; and (C) within 20 (instead of 10) miles of the Resource Hospital affiliated with the FEC as part of the EMS System. (Deletes a provision concerning location in a municipality that has a hospital that has been providing emergency services but is expected to close by the end of 1997 and in a county with a population of more than 525,000.) Requires the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board to waive a certificate of need or permit requirement for any proposed FEC that, no later than June 30, 2009 (instead of as of the effective date of an amendatory Act of 1996), meets certain criteria for providing comprehensive emergency treatment services. Deletes a requirement that the facility must have participated in the demonstration program in order to be issued an annual license. Effective immediately.