Author: Francesca Mathewes

The independent healthcare market is shrinking as consolidation climbs, reimbursements fall and inflation remains high. Here are five notes on the state of physician independence:

For many physicians, weighing the scales of independence and employment comes down to leverage.

The American Medical Association shared its new perspective on ableism in medicine in its educational primer, "Ableism in Health Care," part of its larger strategic health equity plan. 

Johns Hopkins will begin waiving tuition for all students from families earning less than $300,000 a year after it received a $1 billion gift from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Union officials for a Massachusetts healthcare workers union vented their frustrations over delays in Steward Health Care's bankruptcy proceedings. 

Nearly 80% of physicians now work in an employed setting. Here are five ways the remaining 20% keep their practices independent: 

The physician burnout rate dropped below 50% for the first time in four years, according to a survey by the American Medical Association. 

Many smaller private or physician-owned practices have found themselves at a critical junction in recent years. Independent physicians are declining in numbers as the reach of consolidation widens, economic pressure intensifies and administrative burdens persist. 

Between increased workloads due to staffing shortages, insufficient pay and a growing lack of autonomy in employed settings,  unionization has breached a number of health systems and physician communities. 

After months of negotiations, physicians and fellows at Bakersfield, Calif.-based Kern Medical Center reached an agreement with hospital management, according to an Aug. 7 news release shared with Becker's.