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House Version of Appropriations Bill Does Not Include Physician-Ownership Prohibition

Written by Stephanie Wasek
Thursday, 19 June 2008
It has been confirmed by several sources within the House of Representatives that, late last night the House version of the Supplemental Appropriations Bill was finalized with the Bush Administration, according to Physician Hospitals of America.
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Senate Blocks Bill That Would Enact Pay Increase for Physicians

Written by Rob Kurtz
Monday, 16 June 2008
The Senate voted 54-39 to block a Medicare package bill Sen. Max Baucus (D-N.D.) introduced last week that proposed to raise physician payments 1.1 percent instead of slashing them 10.6 percent, as had been slated for next month.
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Bill Would Enact Pay Increase for Physicians, Instead of 10.6 Percent Decrease

Written by Stephanie Wasek
Monday, 09 June 2008
Sen. Max Baucus (D-N.D.) introduced on Friday a Medicare package bill that would raise physician payments 1.1 percent instead of slashing them 10.6 percent, as had been slated for next month.
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Senate Supplemental Appropriations Bill Would Ban New Physician-Owned Hospitals

Written by Stephanie Wasek
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
New physician-owned hospitals would be banned under language added to the Senate version of the Supplemental Appropriations Bill. Over the past several months, the House of Representatives has consistently added language to bills that would prohibit physician ownership of hospitals. Up until now, the Senate counterpart bills have not included similar prohibitions; now, the appropriations bill passed by the Senate has similar restrictions to the House bills. A lot can happen between here and actual law, but now that the Senate has finalized anti-physician-ownership language in legislation, this is a very ominous development.
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In the News: Iowa Hospitals May Become Exempt From CON Requirements

Written by Staff
Friday, 09 May 2008
Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill that would exempt the state's hospitals from having to seek certificate of need approval for construction of new facilities, reports the Chicago Tribune.
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In the News: Minn. Hospitals Can't Base Care Decisions on Patients' Medical Debt

Written by Staff
Friday, 09 May 2008
The Minnesota Legislature has approved a bill that would prohibit hospitals from using information about a patient's medical debt to decide whether to treat the patient. The governor is expected to sign it, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
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Dear Colleague Letter Aims to Dispel Physician-Ownership Myth

Written by Stephanie Wasek
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
Reps. Rubén Hinojosa (D-Texas) and Sam Johnson (R-Texas) have sent another "Dear Colleague" letter to members of the House of Representatives in an effort to dispel the myth that ending physician-ownership in specialty hospitals and other facilities will end physician self referrals. The reality, they say, is that a ban on physician-ownership would only reduce competition in healthcare.
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In the News: Judge's Rejection of Malpractice Damages Limit Could Impact Georgia's Tort Reform Laws

Written by Staff
Tuesday, 06 May 2008
A county judge in Georgia has rejected the cap on monetary awards in a medical malpractice case, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). The decision may have repercussions on the state’s tort reform laws; there is currently a $350,000 cap for non-economic damages.
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Anti-Physician-Owned Hospitals Language Removed From Farm Bill

Written by Stephanie Wasek
Friday, 25 April 2008
The Senate conferees' offer to the House conferees to remove the language on physician-owned hospitals from the farm bill (H.R. 2419) was accepted, and the bill no longer includes a provision banning self-referral to new physician-owned hospitals.
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