Hospitals, Doctors in California Face Off Over Bills on Direct Hiring
The California Hospital Association is backing legislation that would permit hospitals to directly hire physicians, sparking a showdown with the California Medical Association, which opposes the proposed change in state law, HealthLeaders Media reports.
Three bills to loosen state rules on hospitals directly hiring physicians have been introduced this year. Currently, only teaching hospitals, county hospitals and prisons in California can directly hire doctors.
Other facilities must contract with physician groups.
CHA maintains that the law should be changed to help hospitals recruit physicians to rural areas, but CMA argues that the change would give hospitals' disproportionate influence over health care in communities.
According to HealthLeaders Media, a potential resolution to the dispute could lie in a significant expansion of a 2003 pilot program aimed at letting some rural facilities directly hire physicians (Clark, HealthLeaders Media, 4/13). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.