Oklahoma officials say bill prevents new hospital
Oklahoma County commissioners are hoping to persuade Congress to change a provision in proposed health care reform legislation that could keep the Oklahoma Heart Hospital from opening a new campus in Oklahoma City.
District 2 Commissioner Brian Maughan brought a resolution before his fellow commissioners asking that the language be changed. It passed unanimously. The language in a House of Representatives bill passed Saturday would prevent physician-owned hospitals from billing for Medicare and Medicaid, officials said. County officials worry the provision will keep the hospital from opening, meaning the county could lose out on nearly 500 jobs. Although it’s too late to alter the bill that passed the House, the Senate bill hasn’t been finished, said John Hart, a spokesman for Sen. Tom Coburn. "It would devastate the hospital,” Hart said. "Dr. Coburn is going to do everything in his power to keep that out of the Senate bill.” The new campus is set to open in January on the corner of Interstate 240 and Sooner Road.
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Health and Fitness, Politics, Local Politics, Health Care Issues, Paying for Health Care, Government and Politics
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