Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act
Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act
Plain Language Summary
# Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act Summary **What it does:** This bill would loosen restrictions on physicians who own or invest in hospitals, particularly in rural areas. Currently, the Stark Law (a federal regulation) limits what physician-owned hospitals can do to prevent conflicts of interest—for example, it caps how much physicians can expand facilities and requires hospitals to disclose physician ownership details. This bill would remove many of those restrictions. **Who it affects:** The main beneficiaries would be physicians and investors in rural and physician-owned hospitals. Patients and Medicare/Medicaid could be affected by changes to hospital operations and transparency requirements.
Healthcare consumers might see different hospital practices and disclosure practices depending on the bill's passage. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 3022), meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) in the 119th Congress. The bill remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that require rural providers and physician-owned hospitals to meet certain additional criteria in order to be excepted under the Stark law. Specifically, the bill repeals provisions that require hospitals to meet the following criteria: the hospital had physician ownership or investment and a Medicare provider agreement as of December 31, 2010; the hospital does not expand the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, or beds beyond the number in existence as of March 23, 2010, with limited exceptions; the hospital discloses certain information regarding physician ownership and investments to patients, the public, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; the hospital does not offer certain financial opportunities, and the percentage of ownership or investments does not exceed that in effect as of March 23, 2010; the hospital discloses certain information to patients relating to the availability of physicians and makes alternative arrangements when necessary; and the hospital was not converted from an ambulatory surgical center on or after March 23, 2010.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.