This bill allows doctors and healthcare providers to own hospitals by removing existing restrictions on ownership.
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.
