Law change could affect relationship of Carle clinic, hospital

URBANA – A change in federal law taking effect next year could prompt Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic to become what many patients already think they are – one large organization under a common owner.

The for-profit clinic and not-for-profit hospital, long under separate ownership, disclosed Wednesday that they will begin discussions about their relationship to comply with changes in the nearly two-decade-old Stark Laws that will have a major impact on dealings between physicians and hospitals throughout the country starting Oct. 1, 2009.

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