The California Medical Association (“CMA”) has issued a press release
concerning the recent decision by the Eleventh Circuit United States Court of
Appeals in In Re Managed Care. The release addresses the RICO action and
includes comments by Dr. John Whitelaw, President of the CMA, Dr. Tom Hancher,
President of the Texas Medical Association, as well as lead counsel for the
plaintiff physicians, Archie C. Lamb. The decision allows the physicians to move
forward with additional discovery, and as noted by Dr. Whitelaw, is a “great
victory for our doctors and their patients.” The entire release as well as links
to additional information concerning the case can be found at
www.cmanet.org.
US
Representatives Bob Barr (R, GA) and John Conyers (D, MI) have introduced
legislation that, if approved, will allow independent physicians not associated
with health care groups, to bargain collectively with health care providers. The
act, currently titled “The Health Care Antitrust Improvements Act of 2002,”
would allow two or more independent physicians to bargain together when such
negotiations work to promote competition. The Act has the support of the
American Medical Association as well as many of the state medical associations.
The Act has not yet been introduced into the Senate. For additional information
as well as related links please go to www.ama-assn.org.