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Did you ever wonder how outrageous it is that mechanics can own and profit from garages, lawyers from law firms, and dentists from dental clinics?
Well, while we can't say for sure that former President Barack "Barry" Obama (PBUH) wondered about any of these things, he certainly did wonder about doctors owning hospitals, as evidenced by the fact he straight out outlawed them from doing so in 2010 as part of Obamacare. For this reason, many physicians find themselves in the unique position of being unable to own a stake in their own place of work, not by virtue of personal incompetence, laziness, or market forces, but through government fiat.
What is even more amusing is that Nurse Practitioners in states where such a title gives you unlimited scope of practice have no such restrictions. The federal government, in its infinite wisdom, has determined that "conflict of interest" only applies to people holding an MD after their name, while those with an NP are presumed to be immune to such temptations. So if you're an NP in an independent practice state, you can do all the same procedures and fill all the same roles as an MD, and you can own the hospital where you work as well while the MD can only ever slave away for "the man."
Anyway, now that I've had my fill of ranting, the point of this thread is to bring attention to a couple of bills that have been introduced in the house and senate recently that seek to allow us, as physicians, to own our own work rather than working to enlarge the bonuses of empty suits. Contact your representatives in support of these bills!
Senate Bill Would Lift Stark Ban on Physician-Owned Hospital Expansion | JD Supra
House bill would repeal limits on physician-owned hospitals
Well, while we can't say for sure that former President Barack "Barry" Obama (PBUH) wondered about any of these things, he certainly did wonder about doctors owning hospitals, as evidenced by the fact he straight out outlawed them from doing so in 2010 as part of Obamacare. For this reason, many physicians find themselves in the unique position of being unable to own a stake in their own place of work, not by virtue of personal incompetence, laziness, or market forces, but through government fiat.
What is even more amusing is that Nurse Practitioners in states where such a title gives you unlimited scope of practice have no such restrictions. The federal government, in its infinite wisdom, has determined that "conflict of interest" only applies to people holding an MD after their name, while those with an NP are presumed to be immune to such temptations. So if you're an NP in an independent practice state, you can do all the same procedures and fill all the same roles as an MD, and you can own the hospital where you work as well while the MD can only ever slave away for "the man."
Anyway, now that I've had my fill of ranting, the point of this thread is to bring attention to a couple of bills that have been introduced in the house and senate recently that seek to allow us, as physicians, to own our own work rather than working to enlarge the bonuses of empty suits. Contact your representatives in support of these bills!
Senate Bill Would Lift Stark Ban on Physician-Owned Hospital Expansion | JD Supra
House bill would repeal limits on physician-owned hospitals