Bill > S1390

This bill amends the Social Security Act to modify regulations around physician-owned hospitals, specifically focusing on rural healthcare facilities. The legislation introduces a new definition of a "covered rural hospital," which is a hospital located in a rural area that meets certain existing enrollment criteria under Medicare. The bill removes previous restrictions that limited physician ownership and expansion of hospitals, effectively allowing physician-owned hospitals in rural areas to grow and develop more freely. By inserting language into existing law, the bill lifts previous prohibitions on hospital expansion, giving physicians more flexibility to own and develop hospitals in rural regions. This change aims to improve access to healthcare services in underserved areas by reducing regulatory barriers for physician-owned hospitals. The bill also clarifies that covered rural hospitals do not need to meet additional criteria beyond the initial enrollment requirements, which could potentially make it easier for rural healthcare facilities to establish and maintain operations.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1390/all-info