Amends GS 131E-175 to add a legislative finding regarding the demand for office-based cataract surgery.

Amends GS 131E-176 to defineocular surgical procedure room andoffice-based cataract surgeryas used in Article 9, Certificate of Need, and to make a technical change.

Amends GS 131E-178. Amends the caption to read "Activities requiring certificate of need; limited exemption for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures and office-based cataract surgery." Clarifies that the four listed criteria to exempt gastrointestinal endoscopy rooms from certificate of need requirements must all be met to receive the exemption. Exempts licensed ophthalmologists who provide office-based cataract surgery in one or more ocular surgical procedure rooms from certificate of need requirements, provided that the facility has been accredited by one of several specified organizations, and the license application includes a commitment to and plan for serving indigent and medically underserved populations. Requires all other persons proposing to obtain a license to establish an ambulatory surgical facility for office-based cataract surgery to obtain a certificate of need. Makes technical changes.