U.S. Senator James Lankford introduced the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act this week. It is meant to put an end to the ban on physician-owned hospitals put into place by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Oklahoma’s senior senator’s goal is to help expand health care access to Medicare and Medicaid patients. He’s particularly interested in helping rural areas.
“Oklahomans and rural communities across the country need more quality health care options,” said Lankford. “This bill lifts the outdated restrictions that have blocked physician-owned hospitals from growing or opening where they’re needed most. Local physicians should be empowered to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care in rural Oklahoma.”
Lankford has introduced similar legislation in the past. This time he is joined by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, Markwayne Mullin, John Boozman, John Barrasso, and Ted Budd in introducing the bill.
Lankford’s efforts have the support of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Physician-Led Healthcare for America, and the American Medical Association.
