[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H12218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IMPACT ON PHYSICIAN-OWNED HOSPITALS

  (Mr. OLSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3962, the Pelosi health care bill, would 
have a significant impact on the Texas economy and existing physician-
owned hospitals and the quality of health care in my home State of 
Texas.
  Texas leads the Nation with 50 physician-owned hospitals. But under 
this bill, these hospitals will be prohibited from adding beds or 
otherwise increasing capacity. Medicare payments to any new doctor-
owned hospitals would be prohibited.
  According to a January 2009 study by Health Economics' Study Group, 
physician-owned hospitals employ over 22,000 Texans and have a net 
economic impact of $2.3 billion on the Texas economy. The Pelosi health 
care bill will have a significant impact on the economy and, more 
importantly, the quality of care that these hospitals provide our 
communities.
  It's wrong to pay for government health care by punishing these 
providers.

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