Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025

# Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025 – Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would change Medicare rules for physician-owned hospitals (hospitals where doctors have financial ownership stakes). Specifically, it would remove restrictions that currently prevent doctors from referring Medicare patients to hospitals they own or have financial interests in, but only for newly built or recently expanded facilities. The goal, according to the bill's title, is to increase patient access to healthcare options. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects physician-owned hospitals, the doctors who own them, and Medicare patients.

It could also indirectly impact traditional hospitals that compete with physician-owned facilities. These changes would apply to Medicare—the federal health insurance program for seniors and some disabled individuals. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. **Note:** The Stark law was originally enacted to prevent conflicts of interest and unnecessary medical procedures driven by financial incentives rather than medical necessity. This bill would loosen those protections in this specific area.