Challenge to Health Care Reform Provision

TYLER — A challenge to part of the much-debated health care reform law goes before a federal judge in Tyler at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon. In June, Tyler-based Texas Spine and Joint Hospital joined up with Physician Hospitals of America. The two are fighting the provision limiting expansion rights for physician-owned, and partially physician-owned, hospitals. Texas Spine and Joint’s Dr. Mike Russell calls the provision arbitrary and vague. He also says it violates the plaintiffs’ due process and equal protection under the law. Russell’s not sure how soon the judge might rule on sending the case to trial.