We, as members of the Scottsdale Healthcare Medical Staff and as physicians that have been practicing in the community for a number of years, petition the Board of Directors of Scottsdale Healthcare to consider the following measures for the benefit of the physicians and patients that are part of this community. Recent developments and the awarding of 'exclusive' hospitalist contracts to certain groups have raised some concern in our minds with respect to Scottsdale Healthcare’s commitment to Community Physicians, and we urge the Board to strongly consider the following to demonstrate Scottsdale Healthcare’s support for Physicians that are trying to establish themselves in the community.

1)  Provide 10-15 ER calls per month at each campus to community based Physicians who are actively trying to establish / grow their practices. The recent hospitalist contracts awarded to private groups leave only 5 days of ER call available for community physicians, which we feel is not adequate for physicians / groups that are trying to build a practice in the community.

2)  Provide a written agreement to those Community Physicians that are actively taking ER calls; which will reassure them that the ER calls they count on to sustain their practices will not be taken away abruptly.

3)  Continue to allow community physicians to admit/follow their own patients and/or exercise admission preferences. Allowing community physicians the freedom of choice has helped solidify Scottsdale Healthcare’s reputation as a community focused hospital over the years. However, certain health plan contracts with Scottsdale Healthcare are beginning to mandate admission protocols. If this remains unchecked, patients and community physicians will have no choice, which in turn will tarnish Scottsdale Healthcare’s reputation in the community.

We are all proud members of this community, have strong ties with Scottsdale Healthcare and are committed to making Scottsdale Healthcare the premiere healthcare organization in the valley. We ask for your support to enable us to continue doing so.

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