Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act

This bill, known as the "Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act," revises physician self-referral exemptions under the Social Security Act for physician-owned hospitals. It establishes a new exception to certain self-referral prohibitions for facilities designated as "covered rural hospitals." To qualify, these hospitals must be located in a rural area and meet specific enrollment criteria. Additionally, the legislation eliminates the current federal prohibition that restricts the expansion of services, such as operating rooms and beds, for all existing physician-owned hospitals. This aims to provide greater flexibility for these facilities and potentially improve access to care, especially in rural communities.