CardioExchange Archive

CardioExchange, an NEJM practice community for medical professionals dedicated to improving cardiac patient care, was active from 2009 to 2015. CardioExchange fostered discussion between clinicians from across the globe.

January 5th, 2010

What Impact Might Health Care Reform Have on Cardiology Fellowship Training?

I work largely in a county hospital, and so I see firsthand the negative effects of underinsurance. However, I confess that when I read the newspaper, I start with the sports page … and pretty much finish with the sports page (unless there is something juicy in the entertainment section).

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to better understand the impact that the health care reform is likely to have on our hospitals and training programs, even if I have to read the front section of the paper! With some form of major health care reform legislation likely, I would like to learn from those of you who have followed this more closely than I have. What impact do you think this will have on fellowship training?

My friends in cardiology practices have already seen sizable salary reductions and claim that the reform bills will markedly reduce cardiology salaries even further. Do you agree? If so, would this affect the quality of the applicant pool?

I also wonder about the safety-net hospitals that are the basis of so many of our training programs. What potential effects (both positive and negative) on these institutions are we likely to see after a health reform bill passes?

In the “moderator recommends” box on the Fellowship Training Group home page, I show a few stories about health care reform. Please jump in and give us your perspective.

Categories: General


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