ISMA has signed on to the Federation of Medicine letter of support to the sponsors of H.R. 4002, the Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act.

This bipartisan legislation would repeal the statutory restrictions on the whole hospital exception to the Stark physician self-referral law, thereby eliminating statutory and regulatory barriers that prevent the formation or expansion of physician-owned hospitals (POHs).

Congress has a clear opportunity to improve care and promote competition without creating new spending programs or administrative burdens by enacting H.R. 4002 and allowing physicians to invest in hospitals. This is a logical step toward a more dynamic and patient-focused health system. POHs frequently outperform general hospitals in clinical quality, cost efficiency, and patient satisfaction.