According to the Healthcare Association, the 209 nonprofit hospitals in New York lost $2 billion collectively in the last six years.

The Healthcare Association of New York State, a major industry group, put the figure at 7,000, stillfar above the 4,200 the commission seeks to eliminate.

But a spokeswoman for the Healthcare Association of New York State, which represents hospitals and other employers, said the group opposed a ban.

According to the Healthcare Association of New York State, the difference between 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent would be $9.5 billion nationally over 10 years.

Even if the adjustment were to return to 3.5 percent after three years, the Healthcare Association says the House's reduction would amount to $10.4 billion over 10 years.

Officials at the hospital and the Healthcare Association said they had never heard of such a practice until she complained to them.

Daniel Sisto, president of the Healthcare Association, said, "Nobody would understand what it's supposed to mean."

The state's other major hospital and nursing home group, the Healthcare Association of New York State, has not yet said whether it will oppose the plan.

What the policy, adopted by the Healthcare Association of New York State, will mean in practice, though, remains unclear.

The award, from the Healthcare Association of New York State, praised the hospital's reduced use of patient restraints.