WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Physician Hospitals of America (PHA) applaud the congressional support for their efforts to repeal Section 6001 of Healthcare Reform and continue to provide patients a choice for quality care across the country.
Congressman Eric Cantor has released the "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act," and scheduled a vote for next Wednesday, January 12.
"If enacted, the 'Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act' should send a powerful message to judges hearing cases challenging health care reform," explains PHA lead attorney Scott Oostdyk of McGuireWoods. "A federal judge in Virginia has already ruled parts of the law unconstitutional and another in Florida is deciding in a 20-state case whether to strike it down entirely. The underpinnings of the law are under assault from all sides"
Section 6001 bans further construction or expansion of any hospitals which include physicians as owners. In March, the bill halted all expansion projects, and on December 31st, it required more than 40 hospitals to stop construction even if they were just months from completion.
"This week's action by congress is an enormous boost for our cause," says Michael Russell, MD and PHA president. "It provides unbelievable momentum as we continue our fight to complete hospitals under construction, finish expansion projects and expand a model of ownership that the government's own data proves delivers the highest quality of healthcare to the patients we serve."
There are approximately 275 physician owned hospitals serving patients in 34 states. These hospitals include general acute care, long term acute care (LTAC), emergency medicine, multispecialty, women's, children's, rehab and psych. Their 130,000 doctors, nurses and support staff provide access to quality healthcare to millions of patients. According to the government's HCAHPS survey data as compiled by Consumer Reports, Physician Owned Hospitals rank first for quality in 19 states.
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Contact:
Leslie Fossey
(903)539‐7712 / leslie@azaleaortho.com
Keri Bolte
(312) 961-4745 / keri@physicianhospitals.org
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