I was very disappointed to see the article on AB648 which seeks to allow Sutter Amador Hospital to directly employ physicians. Apparently the Ledger did not perform any confirmation of facts prior to publishing. Having been recruited by Sutter, I have first hand experience. The article quoted a local doctor as stating there is a severe shortage of doctors in Amador County because no one would take an open position. There is no basis in fact for a shortage. The hospitals own marketing studies confirm that fact. The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) defines an area of shortage as less than 1 primary care doctor for every 3,500 residents. Amador County currently has more than double that amount. The county population is about 38,941 of which 16.9 percent are below age 18 leaving 32,360 adults. 4,000 adults are in prison leaving 28,360. 6.9 percent are with Kaiser leaving 26,403 adults needing doctors. This means about eight primary care doctors are needed in Amador County. As of today, not including ER staff, there are 13 internists, 12 family/general practitioners, two pediatricians, and more than six nurse practitioners.

What facts are the County Health Department using to determine there is a shortage? There are so many doctors here, several have left the county having been unable to earn a living. In February, the hospital recruited four more doctors in spite of these facts. There are simply too many doctors here. That is the primary reason why there is difficulty recruiting to Amador County. The local hospital offers only a small fraction of the resources needed to practice the full spectrum of medicine which further discourages physicians with modern training from locating here.

Many residents can't afford medical care. One would expect our county, "not-for profit-hospital," would simply charge uninsured patients Medi-Cal rates. Instead the hospital charges many times more than the highest insured rate. The hospital has closed beds, outsourced jobs, cut back worker hours, while increasing annual income from $108 million to $160 million over the last 5 years. AB 648 directly contradicts federal law forbidding financial relationships between hospitals and physicians (see social security act section 1877). The federal government believes financial relationships do influence medical decisions, and if not forbidden, would greatly increase the cost of healthcare. AB 648 seeks to undo years of work by Congressman Pete Stark (CA) who has labored for decades to prevent medical kickbacks.

The hospital seeks to gain control over Amador County and become the "Kaiser of the Foothills." Say goodbye to your independent, primary care doctor. If you support your private physician, please contact Assemblymember Alyson Huber and Senator Dave Cox telling them to vote against AB 648.