In a quick conversation with State Sen. Maurice Washington, the legislative health committee member said there has been too much political grandstanding on the issue of the health clinic scare. He said it’s time for everyone to step back, clam down and take a rational view of the entire picture.

But he acknowledged that the state is unequipped for annual inspections of ambulatory surgical centers. He dismissed the idea of letting accrediting agencies take the responsibility for increased inspections. But he said he would like to explore giving the job to county health departments, “who have the soldiers on the ground.” He said county health inspectors should make regular inspections, backed up by random state inspections.

U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, standing nearby, asked how the state can be so unequipped if it has been able to complete a statewide inspection blitz of all 50 centers in two weeks.