Will all physicians someday be working for 'company'?

Article Abstract:

Increasing numbers of physicians are selling their private practices to health organizations in exchange for the financial security of working in a corporate environment. Although physicians no longer have ultimate authority over the services they provide, in most cases the purchasing of physicians' practices does not result in a deterioration in the quality of health care. Upon the physician's retirement, the company is free to replace him or her with whomever it likes, lessening the ability of physicians to ensure that the quality of care they formerly provided will be maintained.

HEALTH SERVICES, Health Maintenance Organizations, HMO Medical Centers, Physicians & Surgeons, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), Management, Health care industry, Column

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Physicians should learn: quitters can't win

Article Abstract:

Doctors who are truly committed to their patients will fight for them to get the best medical system possible. Abolishing a fee-for-service model and instituting a capitated system might seem cost-effective in the short run, but it would limit patient access to care; patients would have to wait to be seen by a doctor. Instead, physicians should speak out in support of a modified fee-for-service system in which employers pay for employees' health plans and taxes are levied across the board to further support the system.

Planning, Political aspects, Health care reform

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