WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Connecticut Doctors Consider Unionization (New Haven-WTNH) _The president of the Connecticut state medical society is calling for a task force to look into collective bargaining by doctors. But a group of Connecticut orthopaedic surgeons has already joined a union, and they have already encountered opposition. Dr Mike Connair, Federation of Physicians and Dentists: "We will be able to collectively deal with insurance companies the same way as steel workers." Dr. Mike Connair is with the Connecticut chapter of the Federation of Physicians and Dentists. An affiliate of the AFL-CIO, the group was formed to give doctors a voice, as health insurance companies ask them to sign contracts with low reimbursement rates. James Hall: "Doctors want to give certain care, companies say they can't. If they go in with collective bargaining, they can straighten things out." Ruta Valeriano, New Haven: "Is it going to help us or them?" Organizers say the union will give physicians more control over managed care, so they can effectively help their patients. Dr. Connair: "Seeing 2 to 3 times the patients means half the amount of time per patient and talking is half this job." But many doctors who have tried to unionize have run into a small problem, in the form of a federal government investigation. The Department of Justice is concerned about doctors comparing insurance contracts, and price fixing. Glen Eli runs one of the largest physician groups in the state. He pulled his group out of the union. Glenn Elia, CT Orthopaedic Specialists: "You have to turn over every piece of paper in your office. We are in the business of doing medicine, not legal entanglements" So far, it's cost this group, Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists, tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees just to respond to the federal governments inquiries. and these doctors don't even know yet if they've done anything wrong. Despite the opposition, pro-union doctors are counting on strength in numbers to ensure quality patient care. Dr. Connair: "This union will continue to function, fully and grown exponentially in multiple states." Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Connecticut Doctors Consider Unionization
(New Haven-WTNH) _The president of the Connecticut state medical society is calling for a task force to look into collective bargaining by doctors. But a group of Connecticut orthopaedic surgeons has already joined a union, and they have already encountered opposition.

Dr Mike Connair, Federation of Physicians and Dentists: "We will be able to collectively deal with insurance companies the same way as steel workers."

Dr. Mike Connair is with the Connecticut chapter of the Federation of Physicians and Dentists. An affiliate of the AFL-CIO, the group was formed to give doctors a voice, as health insurance companies ask them to sign contracts with low reimbursement rates.

James Hall: "Doctors want to give certain care, companies say they can't. If they go in with collective bargaining, they can straighten things out."

Ruta Valeriano, New Haven: "Is it going to help us or them?"

Organizers say the union will give physicians more control over managed care, so they can effectively help their patients.

Dr. Connair: "Seeing 2 to 3 times the patients means half the amount of time per patient and talking is half this job."

But many doctors who have tried to unionize have run into a small problem, in the form of a federal government investigation. The Department of Justice is concerned about doctors comparing insurance contracts, and price fixing. Glen Eli runs one of the largest physician groups in the state.
He pulled his group out of the union.

Glenn Elia, CT Orthopaedic Specialists: "You have to turn over every piece of paper in your office. We are in the business of doing medicine, not legal entanglements"

So far, it's cost this group, Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists, tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees just to respond to the federal governments inquiries. and these doctors don't even know yet if they've done anything wrong.
Despite the opposition, pro-union doctors are counting on strength in numbers to ensure quality patient care.

Dr. Connair: "This union will continue to function, fully and grown exponentially in multiple states."

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.