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HR 5739 110th Congress House Health Economics and Public Finance Federal aid to health facilities Fines (Penalties) Hospital care Hospitals Law Medicaid Medicare Physicians Social Welfare

Physician Availability Act of 2008

Introduced: April 9, 2008 Introduced by: Schakowsky, Janice D. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 10, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
Apr 9, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 9, 2008
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Physician Availability Act of 2008 - Requires each covered hospital to have a qualified physician available in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to attend to the needs of the hospital's inpatients.

Defines a "covered hospital" to: (1) include hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid or receiving federal funds; and (2) exclude hospitals in a federal facility or hospitals that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines have fewer than 100 licensed beds.

Considers a physician to be available if: (1) the physician is physically present in the hospital; (2) the physician's primary responsibility is to be in attendance to serve the needs of the hospital's inpatients without delay; and (3) the physician is not physically present in, assigned to, serving in, or expected to cover the hospital's emergency room or emergency department.

Sets forth penalties for violations.

What's happening now April 10, 2008

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2