The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act would repeal current legislation that restricts the ability of physicians to refer patients to hospitals in which they have an ownership stake.
In the letter, the American Hospital Association and Federation of American Hospitals cite inherent conflicts of interest as the basis of their opposition to the bill.
The two organizations, headed by CEOs Richard Pollack and Chip Kahn, respectively, argue that passage of the Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act would allow physicians to cherry-pick profitable patients, and patients and community hospitals would ultimately pay the price.
The legislation was introduced by Sen. James Lankford, R-OK, and encouraged by the Physician Hospitals of America.
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