New Multispecialty Advocacy Group Launched to Protect Independent Practices
The American Independent Medical Practice Association (AIMPA) was recently launched with its focus to support private medicine across multiple specialties through promotion and protection of high quality, cost-effective care furnished in independent medical practices. This new, national multispecialty advocacy group is comprised of 5,000 physicians representing nearly 200 independent practices; and includes Cardiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Medical Oncology, Nephrology, Neurosurgery, OB-GYN, Orthopedic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, and Urology specialties. The group does not yet have primary care, although they would be welcome.
AIMPA’S development comes as a dramatic shift has occurred in physician practice ownership, as less than half of doctors now work in private practices, according to a new analysis from the American Medical Association (AMA). Between 2012 and 2022, the share of physicians working in private practices fell by 13 percentage points from 60.1% to 46.7%. Conversely, the share of physicians working in hospitals as direct employees or contractors increased from 6% to 10%. The share of physicians working in practices at least partially owned by a hospital or health system increased from 23% to 31%. “By launching the American Independent Medical Practice Association, we aim to inform patients, physicians, and policymakers of the value of independent medical practices as critical access points for high quality, cost-effective care in communities across the country,” said Dr. David Eagle, AIMPA’s vice president and chair of legislative affairs and patient advocacy at New York Cancer and Blood Specialists. “AIMPA will advocate for policies that ensure that independent medical practices remain a robust alternative to care furnished in rapidly consolidating hospitals and health systems.”
