AHA opposes legislation allowing physician self-referrals, POH expansion

AHA opposes legislation allowing physician self-referrals, POH expansion

The AHA March 27 voiced opposition to the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act (H.R. 2191), a bill that would lift the ban on the establishment of physician-owned hospitals in certain rural areas and permit the unfettered expansion of POHs nationwide, regardless of location. In place since 2010, current law includes an exceptions process that allows existing POHs to expand if they accept Medicaid patients and are located in areas w…