Ohio Health Corporation, parent of Grant, Riverside and Doctors Hospitals in Columbus has contended that for-profit specialty hospitals unfairly compete with community hospitals. Members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee heard a lengthy testimony on February 4th concerning the loss to doctors of admitting privileges based on competitive business practices. At issue was the decision to deny staff privileges to 17 physicians with investments in the New Albany Surgical Hospital.
The credentialing dispute between the hospitals and doctors are now on hold in the senate awaiting the outcome of a hearing and possible vote on a measure (HB 67), eliminating the current $500,000 limit on the secured line of credit the states four township district hospitals may contract. The complaint filed by the doctors group was withdrawn after Common Pleas Judge Patrick McGrath through out a request for a temporary restraining order to block admitting privileges.