Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026
Rep. Scanlon Introduces Take Back Our Hospitals Act to Ban Private Equity From Medicare System
The Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to two House committees for review, which is where it remains for now. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would ban Medicare payments to any hospital or skilled nursing facility owned or controlled by private equity funds, their affiliates, or real estate investment trusts. The goal is to remove profit-driven investment groups from control of essential healthcare facilities that serve Medicare patients.
From policy text
“No payment may be made under this title to a hospital or skilled nursing facility that is owned or controlled by a covered firm or an affiliate of a covered firm.”
View in full text - Facilities already owned by these investment firms on the date of enactment would get a three-year grace period to change their ownership structure. After that window closes, they must be under different ownership to keep receiving Medicare money.
From policy text
“If, on the date of enactment of this subsection, a hospital or skilled nursing facility is owned or controlled by a covered firm or an affiliate of such a firm, such hospital or skilled nursing facility shall not be considered in violation of subparagraph (A) until the date that is 3 years after such date of enactment.”
View in full text - The bill defines ownership broadly, covering anyone who directly or indirectly owns 10 percent or more of voting securities or has the power to direct management, assets, or policies. This is designed to prevent firms from using complex corporate structures to hide their control.
From policy text
“A person shall be considered to control an entity if such person directly or indirectly owns, has rights over, or holds with the power to vote, 10 percent or more of the voting securities of such entity.”
View in full text - Both the facility and its parent investment firm would be jointly liable for any penalties resulting from violations. This ensures that private equity firms and REITs cannot dodge financial consequences by hiding behind subsidiary companies.
From policy text
“A covered firm or an affiliate of such a firm that owns or is an affiliate of a hospital or skilled nursing facility that is in violation of paragraph (1) shall be jointly and severally liable for any penalty or obligation such hospital or skilled nursing facility receives for such violation.”
View in full text - Covered firms include private equity funds, corporations owned or controlled by private equity funds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The definitions draw on existing investment law to clearly identify which entities fall under the ban.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Related News
3 articlesBill would ban private equity-owned hospitals, nursing homes
A federal bill proposed March 23 by Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon would deny Medicare funding to hospitals and nursing homes owned by private equity firms. The Take Back Our Hospitals Act would affect more than 400 facilities currently under such ownership.
Sen. Murphy pushes bill to keep private equity out of hospitals and nursing homes
Senator Chris Murphy's legislation aims to bar private equity-owned facilities from Medicare funding. The bill responds to research linking such ownership to reduced staffing and poorer patient outcomes, specifically citing the collapse of Prospect Medical Holdings.
Murphy, Scanlon Unveil Bill To Shield Health Care Whistleblowers As Private Equity Expands Hospital Ownership
Alongside a whistleblower protection bill, Sen. Murphy and Rep. Scanlon introduced the Take Back Our Hospitals Act. The proposal aims to ban private equity firms from owning hospitals and nursing homes, citing concerns over the 'buy, strip, flip' business model.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(7)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.