University of Michigan concierge medical care program draws protests
The plan, part of the growing nationwide movement known as concierge care, is drawing protests from U-M doctors who are concerned it strays from the institution's public mission. The program is currently enrolling patients.
"Victors Care purports to offer 'better' health care to those with enough money to pay a large access fee," says a letter sent to the health system's administration by 200 doctors and staff. "The
The program works like this, according to the Victors Care website: People interested in the program pay a yearly fee --
"We urge Michigan Medicine leadership to focus on increasing access for all of our patients," the letter from the Michigan Medicine staff says. "We need greater efforts to improve infrastructure, space, and clinic support for all. We are eager to promote and strengthen primary care services at the
"We're committed to ethical, accessible care for all our patients and whatever programs we put in place should not diminish that in any way. This will not adversely affect the access of other patients to our outstanding health care system.
"Some faculty have raised concerns. We've listened to them and are working together to come up with solutions that are mutually satisfactory for the benefit of our patients.
"Along with accepting many different types of insurance that provide different types of support for patient care, we think Victors Care is a valuable option to offer our patients."
In addition to the letter, the doctors also questioned administrators during an hour-long ethics discussion last week.
During that discussion,
"I think it is of value because primarily it's a way to bring U-M supporters into our system and they will learn about health care and they will (then) donate toward health care for those not as fortunate," he said during the meeting, according to a video of the session posted on YouTube. "The program (itself) isn't likely to generate much of a margin, but the philanthropy will."
In his talk, Runge used a slide showing Michigan Medicine provided
He said the introductory cost is basically the amount of money a person can put into a health savings account. He said the program would be capped at 600 patients.
Concierge care is growing across the country. Places such as the
"Does this make it harder for people who don't pay for Victors Care to see their doctor or get in to get a test they need done?" she told the
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