Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act
IntroducedHealth
IntroducedMar 18, 2025
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet
Where it stands
Introduced. Latest step, Mar 18, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.From Iowa: Mariannette Miller-Meeks cosponsors it. It would change 1 section of existing law.
How this bill changes the law
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H.R. 2191 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (Mar 18, 2025).
adds
changes words
removes or repeals
renumbers
Dashed lines: proposed, not law.
H.R. 2191Bill
Sec. 2(a)In general3 changes
Sec. 2(b)Allowing for expansion of existing physician-Owned hospitals2 changes
What the words would change: every change, in place (5)
Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.
42 U.S.C. 1395nn(d)(2)(C)a new sectionchangedby H.R. 2191 Sec. 2(a)
(C) in the case where the entity is a hospital (other than a covered rural hospital (as defined in subsection (h))), the hospital meets the requirements of paragraph (3)(D).
The bill says: in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting "(other than a covered rural hospital (as defined in subsection (h)))" after "a hospital"; and
42 U.S.C. 1395nn(d)(3)(D)a new sectionchangedby H.R. 2191 Sec. 2(a)
(D) in the case of a hospital other than a covered rural hospital (as defined in subsection (h)), the hospital meets the requirements described in subsection (i)(1) not later than 18 months after March 23, 2010.
The bill says: in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting "in the case of a hospital other than a covered rural hospital (as defined in subsection (h))," before "the hospital"; and
42 U.S.C. 1395nn(h)a new sectionadded (8)by H.R. 2191 Sec. 2(a)
(8) Covered rural hospital.— The term "covered rural hospital" means a hospital that—(A) is located in a rural area (as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D)); and(B) as of the date that such hospital enrolls under this title, is located more than a 35-mile drive (or, in the case of mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, a 15-mile drive) from a hospital or a critical access hospital.
The bill says: in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
42 U.S.C. 1395nn(i)a new sectionadded (7)by H.R. 2191 Sec. 2(b)
(7) Sunset of expansion prohibition.— The requirement described in paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.
The bill says: by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.
What it does
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Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act
This bill expands flexibilities for physicians and physician-owned hospitals under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law).
The Stark law generally prohibits physicians from referring patients to receive services that are payable under Medicare or Medicaid from entities in which the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship. The bill allows physicians or their immediate family members to have financial interests in rural hospitals that are located more than 35 miles (or 15 miles in certain mountainous areas or areas with only secondary roads) from a hospital or critical access hospital.
The Stark law also generally prohibits physician-owned hospitals from expanding the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, or beds beyond the number in existence as of March 23, 2010, in order to be excepted under the Stark law. The bill removes this restriction.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Mar 18, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
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Mar 18, 2025Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.House floor actions
Mar 18, 2025Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.House floor actions
Mar 18, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
Mar 18, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress