The ban would allow physicians the opportunity to change jobs without having to move out of a large radius of their current employer. Noncompetes are designed to prohibit physicians from working for a competitor of their current institution.
“What in the world is the difference?” Scott Cline, MD, a neurologist in the state who has a noncompete agreement, told the publication. “It’s a physician employed to complete a job. My job happens to be in neurology. Why shouldn’t I have the same opportunities for happiness when things go bad?”
Legislators in support of the change to the bill believe it will help hospitals retain employees and will preserve doctor-patient relationships.
The state’s senate is expected to agree to the addendum, according to the publication.
“Is it better than nothing? Sure,” Lauren Hermann, MD, a family medicine physician, told the publication. “But logistically, it doesn’t make any sense. Why just primary care? You’re just throwing us a bone to try to save face.”
