Stop bill that limit patient choices
The Illinois Medical Society (physicians of Illinois) is attempting to take away a patient's right to choose where they receive physical therapy simply because it is in their financial interest.
There is a phenomenon known as referral for profit. Referral for profit is intoxicating to all exposed to it. Research published in JAMA and the New England Journal of Medicine confirms the following; when physicians have a financial interest in referring a service they don't directly provide, the frequency of referral for that service can increase as much as seven fold. Referral for profit effect goes well beyond physicians abusing physical therapy.
For example, red light cameras were introduced with intent of safety. When municipalities discovered revenue advantages, they added cameras, enforced right turn on red and shortened yellow lights to increase revenues.
Physicians frequently refer patients to physical therapy. Referral for profit increases the temptation of sending or even pressuring a patient; to use the doctor's facility, to suggest unnecessary referrals, approve excessive numbers of visits not needed or allow patients to be assembly lined through their treatment. In those cases the concern for the patient is abandoned for simple profit.
If this bill passes, physicians will have a monopoly on physical therapy.
Choice will be limited. Independent physical therapy and hospital physical therapy services may be forced out of business by the physicians' monopoly on physical therapy services.
This is an issue of patient choice, fair completion and free enterprise. Both are being placed in danger by the Illinois medical society.
Do not allow those individuals to take advantage of this prohibited arrangement or perpetuate it.
Contact your house representative today. Call or fax them and demand they oppose SB2635. The vote is coming in days, please don't delay! You can find your state representative at www.ilga.gov.
Chuck Schulte
Hawthorn Woods