SAN DIEGO: Scripps Health to End Contracts With Area MDs

      Citing worries about financial risks, Scripps Health officials have announced that the system will terminate all its contracts with physician groups in San Diego effective Jan. 1, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Scripps officials said that financial difficulties faced by physician groups, many of which are struggling to survive under capitation, make it "too risky" to collaborate with the organizations. Doctors, though, allege that Scripps is trying to pressure physicians to join Scripps Health Physicians, the system's own group, and said the decision will increase the strain on their associations. Without a contract with the system, the groups will still be able to admit patients to the six San Diego-area Scripps hospitals but will have to pay higher rates, the paper reports (Fong, 11/25).