For physician-owned hospitals like Texas Spine and Joint, the fight for more operating beds is over.
"Section 6001 specifically inhibits any new hospitals from coming into a market that has physician ownership," Dr. Mike Russell, with Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, said.
That provision also says existing physician-owned hospitals can't expand, or add in-patient services. Advocates of the provision argue it can be a conflict of interest for doctors to own a hospital and also provide care to patients.
But some doctors say thwarting competition may backfire on patients."My concern would be anytime you have less competition usually it costs more, and usually quality goes down," Russell said.
For the Northeast Texas Health District, this ruling actually saves some funding it received through the bill. "We're very pleased to be able to continue these great efforts we'd see in the area of prevention," George Roberts, CEO of the Northeast Texas Health District, said.
That grant helps people quit smoking and learn healthy living habits. Roberts hopes the outcome is positive for patients. "When they do need care, they'll get it at a less expensive place such as their primary care physician versus having to go to the emergency room when they get really sick," he said.
Every American will now be required to have insurance. That part of the law, creating waves with locals who think it's a government overreach." I don't think the people ought to be forced to have insurance if they can't afford it," Fred Arranbedes said.
He's worried about the small business owner. "It's an added expense that they didn't have before, they're not like big businesses like can afford insurance," Arranbedes said.
Currently about a fourth of Texans don't have health insurance. "I have a son who doesn't have a job that carries insurance, and so it's a very low paying job, and it's going to affect him if he's required to take it," Carolyn Cotton said.
She doesn't know how he'll afford it, and doesn't want to pay what is being considered a tax. "It's just one more way for the government to get money from us, drain the pockets a little more," Cotton said.
Doctors say regardless, they'll continue high-quality care, and charity programs already in place.
