Conferees withdraw self-referral proposal from farm bill

Senate conferees negotiating a farm policy reauthorization bill (H.R. 2419) have withdrawn a proposal that the conference report include a provision banning self-referral to new physician-owned hospitals. “While we are disappointed that the physician self-referral provision has been taken out of the Farm Bill, it is clear that Congress’ commitment to banning this harmful practice remains strong,” said AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack. “In fact, the House has passed this ban twice in the past year, and the provision remains part of both the CHAMP Act and Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act of 2008. The Senate also signaled its support by including the provision in the Farm Bill. The lack of signatures on a recent ‘Dear Colleague’ letter in opposition to the provision also showed Congress, on a bipartisan basis, overwhelmingly believes that banning physician self-referral to new hospitals in which a physician has an ownership interest would protect patients and communities … We call upon members of Congress to make their voices heard and continue to support banning physician self-referral to new facilities.”