Dr. Jim McGovern (PeaceHealth): There are certainly entities out there that are gobbling up practice and there’s probably a profit margin driving it. I will say here in Eugene it is about the survival of our independent practices.
Presenter: There is new scrutiny this week of Dr. Jim McGovern’s remarks at a Sept. 26, 2024 citywide health care forum. Before hundreds attending at Willamette Christian Church and more watching online, the chief hospital executive of PeaceHealth expressed concern for Eugene’s independent physician practices. Dr. Jim McGovern:
Dr. Jim McGovern: So I want to talk a little bit about practices and them being acquired. There are very few cardiology practices left that are independent, primarily because the reimbursement has changed and they can’t make it and support the clinic and support their salaries.
I have probably four conversations a month—at least—with groups in town, around: ‘How can the hospital support them so they can stay independent?’ or ‘How can we purchase their practice because they’re failing,’ or ‘They’re getting ready for retirement and they can’t recruit physicians in.’…