Watauga Orthopaedics has received approval to build a $17 million surgery center in Johnson City, Tenn., ABC affiliate WJHL reports.
The Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency voted 6-2 Oct. 28 in favor of the certificate of need request.
Attorneys for a competing surgery center argued that the market was oversaturated and the proposed ASC would negatively affect other surgery centers in the area.
The state regulator rejected these claims.
Watauga Orthopaedics, a 20-physician group, will proceed with plans to build the four-operating room surgery center, which is projected to open in 18 to 24 months.