The Debate over Physician Ownership of Health Care Facilities

America's social contract with its physicians, historically based on a binding trust reflected in the self-regulated nature of the profession, is being subjected to new questions that stem from the rapidly changing nature of medical care delivery and finance. This examination, currently focusing on the growing trend of physicians referring patients to free-standing facilities in which they hold a financial interest, is evolving on several fronts. It is raising questions that many policy makers feel uncomfortable addressing, but it is proceeding nevertheless because some consider current law and the privately crafted policies of the profession inadequate as safeguards to the . . .