- A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open found physician-owned hospital prices to be about a third lower than traditional hospitals in the same market, potentially fueling debate over legislation that would remove the ban on building more physician-owned hospitals. In February, a group of senators introduced legislation allowing new physician-owned hospitals to be created and permitting them to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The American Hospital Association opposes the bill, arguing that physicians have an inherent conflict of interest referring patients to a hospital in which they have a financial stake. The American Medical Association counters that the legislation would level an uneven playing field that has favored non-physician-owned hospitals and led to consolidation, arguing that physician-owned hospitals produce better outcomes at lower costs. (Articles here and here)
- According to a new poll, health care workers who served on the front lines of the pandemic and suffered record levels of burnout are beginning to feel more optimistic about the medical profession. Nearly 3 in 5 health care workers said they are optimistic about the future of the medical industry and that they have been able to handle the stressors at work over the past six months. The poll also indicated that plenty of health workers still feel overwhelmed on the job, with 1 in 3 saying they’ve struggled to cope with the stressors of work in the past six months. (Article here)
June 26, 2023
Providers | Tea Leaves