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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Tim Solobay |
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Solobay introduces bill to regulate sleep labs
Says getting your 'zzzzs' shouldn’t cost you a good night’s sleep
HARRISBURG, May 4 – State Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, today introduced legislation that would require sleep disorder centers, sleep laboratories or other facilities that provide testing and treatment for sleep disorders to be regulated by the state Department of Health.
Sleep centers in Pennsylvania are currently unregulated, and the Health Department has no oversight authority regarding their operations, staffing levels, staff competency or patient safety. Solobay said such a situation is unacceptable.
“When a person has a sleep disorder, that’s a major problem that can affect all aspects of his or her life. Pennsylvanians need to feel confident that the place where they seek help with sleep problems is qualified to offer treatment,” Solobay said. “Regulation and licensing would take the guesswork out of finding a reputable sleep disorder center and give patients peace of mind.”
House Bill 1264 would amend the Health Care Facilities Act to standardize the licensing and regulation of sleep centers, also known as sleep laboratories, by adding a definition for “sleep center” and including them among the health care facilities that are overseen by the state Health Department.
The legislation currently has 14 bipartisan co-sponsors.
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