The purpose of this legislation is to update certain rules regarding physician self-referral exemptions for physician-owned hospitals. The aim is to enhance access to quality healthcare in rural areas by making it easier for these hospitals to operate and expand. Key provisions of the legislation include changes to the definitions and requirements for what qualifies as a "covered rural hospital." It specifies that a covered rural hospital must be located in a rural area and must be more than 35 miles away from another hospital or critical access hospital, or more than 15 miles away in areas…