DETROIT (AP) — Dozens of Michigan hospitals are expected to pay federal penalties because too many heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia patients needed to be readmitted within 30 days.

The Detroit Free Press reports (http://on.freep.com/RReYHo ) Monday that the 54 hospitals are among those nationwide in the same position when a provision of the Affordable Care Act kicks in Oct. 1.

The federal government's Medicare program spends billions of dollars a year on care in such cases.

Seven Detroit-area hospitals and many others in Michigan already have programs in place to reduce readmissions, improve care and avoid future penalties.

Health care executives this month learned the total of the fines they would pay. In Michigan, the penalties are as high as $2.2 million at one hospital.