Easing Rules for Doctor-Owned Hospitals to Boost Rural Healthcare Access.
This law aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in rural communities, by relaxing rules concerning physician ownership of hospitals. It creates exceptions that allow doctors to more easily establish new hospitals in remote areas, generally located at least 35 miles from another facility. Additionally, existing physician-owned hospitals will be permitted to expand their capacity, increasing the number of available beds and services for patients.
Key points
New rural hospitals: Doctors can more easily establish and operate hospitals in remote areas, intended to improve access to care where options are currently limited.
Expansion allowed: Existing physician-owned hospitals will be permitted to increase their capacity, such as adding beds or operating rooms, improving service availability.
Self-referral rules relaxed: Certain restrictions on doctors referring patients to hospitals they own are lifted, provided the hospital meets the new rural criteria.
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