H.R. 4002: Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025

This bill, officially titled the *Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025*, seeks to make specific changes to healthcare regulations concerning Medicare. Its primary aim is to repeal certain provisions from previous healthcare reforms that restrict referrals made by physicians to hospitals where they have a financial interest.

Key Provisions

The main points of this legislation include:

• Repeal of Restrictions: The bill aims to repeal sections 6001 and 10601 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and section 1106 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. These provisions limited the ability of physicians to refer patients to hospitals with which they have a financial arrangement.
• Restoration of Previous Laws: If passed, this bill would restore the laws that existed prior to the enactment of the provisions mentioned above. This means that doctors could potentially refer patients to hospitals in which they have a stake, without facing the previous prohibitive measures.

Impact on Medicare

By repealing these referral restrictions, the bill may affect how healthcare services are delivered under Medicare. The objective is to enhance access to care for patients by allowing more freedom for physicians in choosing hospitals for their patients.

Legislative Process

The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.

Relevant Companies

• HCA Healthcare Inc. (HCA) - As one of the largest healthcare providers in the U.S., changes to physician referral regulations could significantly impact HCA's patient admissions and revenue, given its extensive network of hospitals.
• Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) - Similar to HCA, UHS operates numerous healthcare facilities and could see changes in its patient referral patterns based on modifications to these laws.