H.R. 5739 would assure that the services of a nonemergency department physician are available to hospital patients 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week in all non-Federal hospitals with at least 100 licensed beds.

== Detailed Summary ==

<summary>
(LogPhysician Availability Act of 2008 - Requires each covered hospital to have a qualified physician available in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to attend to edit the wikineeds of the hospital's inpatients.

Defines a &quot;covered hospital&quot; to: (1) include hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid or receiving federal funds; and (2) exclude hospitals in a federal facility or hospitals that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines have fewer than 100 licensed beds.

Considers a physician to be available if: (1) the firstphysician is physically present in the hospital; (2) the physician's primary responsibility is to provide a detailed summarybe in attendance to serve the needs of the bill!)hospital's inpatients without delay; and (3) the physician is not physically present in, assigned to, serving in, or expected to cover the hospital's emergency room or emergency department.

Sets forth penalties for violations.
</summary>

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== Status of the Legislation ==

<status>
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
</status>

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== Points in Favor ==

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== Points Against ==

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