Neil Mehta is correct that “medicine cannot owe its first allegiance to financial interests” (“The loophole that could allow another private equity debacle in Mass. health care,” Ideas, July 13). Physicians must have complete clinical autonomy, free from corporate interference.
However, as Massachusetts legislators contemplate changes to state corporate practice of medicine laws, they must ensure that physicians retain the ability to partner with management services organizations for operational and financial support. Without that support, physicians will have even less time to spend with patients, and even more independent physician practices will be forced to close or submit to acquisition by hospitals or insurance companies.
Such consolidation drives up costs and reduces access to care. Thousands of MassHealth beneficiaries depend on independent practices like mine for high-quality care that costs less than in hospitals. Looming cuts in federal Medicaid funding will only increase our importance for these patients.
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In the aftermath of the Steward Health Care crisis, it’s appropriate for our Legislature to strengthen protections for physicians’ medical decision-making and allow them to focus on clinical care. Bills have been introduced that would do so without banning the kinds of partnerships that make independent medical practice possible and sustainable.
Dr. George Dickstein
President
Massachusetts Independent Physician Practice Association
Peabody
The writer is a gastroenterologist practicing in Framingham.
