CMA: Proposes Guild For Residents, Employed Physicians
The California Medical Association is proposing the development of a professional "guild" subsidiary for physicians in residency training programs and in government service. Speaking Sunday at the CMA's annual meeting in San Diego, Dr. Robert Reid, who was sworn in as CMA president yesterday, said, "This subsidiary guild concept is a bold step for medicine. A guild would enable thousands of currently unrepresented physicians to join with the larger body of their professional colleagues." CMA Executive Vice President and CEO Dr. Jack Lewin said, "Except for the ability to strike, the proposed guild could function like a traditional union, capable of effective bargaining and advocacy for fair working conditions and compensation." He added, "We do not believe physicians should employ labor strikes because of the potential harm to patients." Issues that would be addressed by guild members include medical ethics, quality of care, uninsured access to care and managed care accountability to patients' medical needs, said Reid. The proposed guild must receive final approval from the CMA board (release, 2/15).
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