NJ hospitals ask permission to perform non-emergency, elective angioplasties

The capacity of New Jersey hospitals to offer elective angioplasties -- procedures typically used to open blocked or narrowed arteries -- has long been the subject of debate. And the discussion is heating up again as the state considers changing the rules that apply to these procedures. What makes the conversation hard to follow is that it's taking place on at least two fronts. The state Department of Health currently allows 18 hospitals -- all of which have cardiac surgeries onsite -- to offer elective angioplasties. However, another 11 hospitals -- without cardiac surgeries -- also offer the procedure.