Senator James Lankford Tuesday introduced a bill to allow physician-owned hospitals to expand. The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017 would do that by repealing Section 6001 of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Section 6001 restricted existing physician-owned hospitals from expanding. It also prohibits any new hospital with physician ownership from participating Medicare or Medicaid. Repealing the section would widen healthcare options for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
“Obamacare is not working for most Americans, costs have skyrocketed and choices have diminished,” said Lankford. “There are many smaller health care reform steps that can target specific problems within health care. The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017 will increase competition, which will lower health care costs and expand quality of care by empowering smaller physician-owned hospitals to innovate and tailor their services to the communities they serve. We need strong general care hospitals in Oklahoma, but that should not preclude smaller innovative hospitals from also providing care.”
There are 18 physician-owned hospitals in Oklahoma.
The House is working on a campaign bill introduced by Rep. Sam Johnson in February.
They don’t want to take Medicare or Medicaid. Do you blame them?