title: The Ethics in Patient Referrals Act of 1989: an analysis of the bill and the issue.
abstract: It is inherent in the practice of medicine for physicians to refer their patients to hospitals and ancillary health care providers of all types. Suppose, however, that the referring physician owns a financial interest in the provider to which he or she refers patients? Is this practice unethical? Should it be illegal? Many people think it should--including Rep. Fortney H. "Pete" Stark of California. This article examines Rep. Stark's pending legislation to prohibit such arrangements under the Medicare program.
mesh_terms: D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006759:Hospital-Physician Joint Ventures / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007449:Investments / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006278:Medicare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010067:Ownership / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States