Rep. seeks data on uncompensated care

WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee wants data on uncompensated medical treatment from hospitals around the United States.

The Congressional Quarterly HealthBeat says that Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., is concerned about possible differences in care for low-income patients between not-for-profit and for-profit hospitals.

Jon Ratner, assistant director of Medicare payment issues at the Government Accountability Office, told the Congressional Quarterly that Thomas first asked for the information in November and he was told to prepare for hearings in May.