Is it time to impeach Pete Stark?

It looks like Pete Stark is at it again. In a newly drafted house bill, Pete Stark (D-CA) has inserted language to eliminate the Stark Law hospital ownership exception. This new bill applies to all physician-owned hospitals, instead of just specialty hospitals.

Summary of Section 651 of the initial draft of the Children’s Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP):

Sec. 651. Limitation on exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals to hospitals. Eliminates the whole hospital exception so that physicians cannot self refer to hospitals in which they have ownership. Applies to all hospitals - not just specialty hospitals. Grandfathers hospitals that were in operation with Medicare provider agreements as of the date of introduction of the bill. Requires grandfathered hospitals to meet standards within 18 months of enactment that include: preventing growth, requiring disclosure of ownership, limiting physician ownership to an aggregate of no more than 40% of the facility and no more than 2% individually, and disclosing to patients if they fail to have 24 hour physician coverage.

I watched a segment on 60 Minutes last night which said physicians in Cuba make about $20 a month. Sounds like Pete Stark’s dream scenario.