According to the new law, physician-owned hospitals must have physician-owners and investors and a Medicare provider agreement in place by Dec. 31 to meet the Stark Exemption. Sutter does not expect to break ground on the new facility until mid-September or early-October of 2010, according to the report.
Sutter officials say the new healthcare reform bill prohibits the physician-ownership model that was in place. The 70-bed expansion will continue once the Sonoma County Department of Health and Human Services approves Sutter’s plans, according to the report.
Read the Business Journal’s report on Sutter’s dropped physician-ownership plans.
