H.R. 3022 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Apr 24, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLoosens rules on physician-owned hospitals
The Stark law is a federal rule that limits which doctors can refer patients to hospitals where they have a financial stake, to prevent conflicts of interest. Right now, rural providers and physician-owned hospitals have to follow strict extra requirements to get an exception from this rule—like limits on expansion, ownership caps, and patient disclosure rules. This bill would repeal those additional requirements, making it easier for doctors to own and operate hospitals without following those restrictions.
How it affects you
Doctors who own or invest in hospitals would face fewer regulatory hurdles. Patients in rural areas served by physician-owned hospitals might see those facilities expand or change their operations more freely, though the official summary doesn't detail how that would affect care quality or costs.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 24, 2025)
Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act
This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that require rural providers and physician-owned hospitals to meet certain additional criteria in order to be excepted under the Stark law.
Specifically, the bill repeals provisions that require hospitals to meet the following criteria:
• the hospital had physician ownership or investment and a Medicare provider agreement as of December 31, 2010;
• the hospital does not expand the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, or beds beyond the number in existence as of March 23, 2010, with limited exceptions;
• the hospital discloses certain information regarding physician ownership and investments to patients, the public, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
• the hospital does not offer certain financial opportunities, and the percentage of ownership or investments does not exceed that in effect as of March 23, 2010;
• the hospital discloses certain information to patients relating to the availability of physicians and makes alternative arrangements when necessary; and
• the hospital was not converted from an ambulatory surgical center on or after March 23, 2010.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3022
A BILL
Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act
Sponsor: Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN-5) · Introduced Apr 24, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 24, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”