Reps offerthen withdrawself referral amendment
Last week, House Energy and Commerce Committee’s markup of HR 3200—American’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009—Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y. and Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, offered, and then withdrew, an amendment to close the in-office ancillary services exception for advanced medical imaging under the Stark law.
In offering the amendment, both Weiner and Braley spoke about the problems of conflict of interest, and safety and health concerns associated with physicians’ ownership of imaging equipment.
Before withdrawing the amendment, they received a commitment from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to further examine the issue during the ongoing debate on healthcare reform. Also, Weiner added that he would like for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to examine the issue of physician self-referral and determine any possible regulatory solutions.
In offering the amendment, both Weiner and Braley spoke about the problems of conflict of interest, and safety and health concerns associated with physicians’ ownership of imaging equipment.
Before withdrawing the amendment, they received a commitment from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to further examine the issue during the ongoing debate on healthcare reform. Also, Weiner added that he would like for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to examine the issue of physician self-referral and determine any possible regulatory solutions.