A new law in Oregon ensures that patient care is managed by physicians, not corporations.
OR SB 951 is enacted with strong support from the Oregon chapter of ACEP and aligns with ACEP’s policy on corporate practice of medicine.
The law prohibits corporations, shareholders and staff from interfering in physician decision-making, directing physician staffing, compensation, or management. Importantly, the law also places limits on non-compete and non-disparagement clauses and agreements that restrict physicians’ due process rights.
OR-ACEP was a leading voice in a coalition that went head-to-head with large insurers and private equity firms to make sure that profit-driven companies do not exert undue influence over patient care.
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“The relationship between patient and physician is sacred because we uphold the beneficial interest and autonomy of the patient as most important. OR-ACEP believes the doctor and patient relationship is the center of medicine. Clinical decisions should only be made by a physician.” -John Moorhead, MD, FACEP, OR-ACEP |
ACEP provided written testimony and OR-ACEP testified in support of the law. OR-ACEP’s winning advocacy strategy showed legislators how corporate influence can challenge the delivery of high-quality patient care. Over months of deep negotiation, the chapter made sure legislators heard persistently and directly from emergency physicians about how corporate overreach accelerates burnout and contributes to workforce shortages, among other complicating factors.
ACEP chapters across the country are working relentlessly to protect the physician-patient relationship and advance policies that preserve emergency physicians’ jobs, well-being and autonomy.
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