I've followed Dutch Rojas' work for years. While we've traded social media likes and comments, I've been waiting for the chance to pick Dutch's brain. Employers and provider groups are warming to the idea of direct contracting as a way to reduce costs by cutting out health care middlemen. Always ahead of the curve, Dutch figured this out years ago. He's also become one of physicians' most vocal supporters, advocating for a repeal of the ACA moratorium on physician-owned hospitals, an end to anti-competitive certificate of need laws, and re-evaluation of Stark Laws and Anti-Kickback Statutes. Dutch thinks physicians should be in control of health care – an idea I can obviously get behind.
That said, physicians have to move beyond bemoaning their fate and take action. The time to feel sorry for ourselves is over. Our conversation outlines steps physicians can take to begin taking back control of medicine and shaping the future of health care. Though it may seem like a daunting task, Dutch and I discuss several straightforward, actionable steps any concerned doctor can take. Finally, surviving the future of health care means being innovative. Forget about staying one step ahead, Dutch's approach involves two or three chess moves few have considered.
Key highlights from the conversation:
Dutch details his fascinating backstory on how a guy from Holland ends up challenging the health care status quo in America. Like many origin stories, it features serendipity and how your calling sometimes finds you.
Early in his career, Dutch learned a hard lesson about the obfuscation that permeates the business of American health care, especially as it pertains to self-funded employers. But he turned this lesson into his own business of health care awakening.
Along those lines, many young physicians are oblivious to how the system functions outside of direct care delivery. We're simply not taught this stuff in medical school or residency. My own awakening took place fully 10 years into practice. But more and more doctors are catching on.
Dutch gives a great update regarding efforts to reverse the moratorium on physician-owned hospitals and his work with Physician-Led Healthcare for America (PHA). He gives an inside look at how the advocacy process works in DC.
A lot of doctors want to get involved in advocacy work and driving systemic change but aren't sure where to start. We discuss practical steps any physician can take to get off the sidelines and overcome their natural tendency to risk aversion.
Dutch and I discuss how doctors can stay ahead of the curve in a health care climate where it's increasingly difficult to remain independent. Dutch is a deep thinker who's often several steps ahead of the curve. He details a couple of ideas he's working on: physician-led insurance networks and a novel health care services commodities exchange.
Ben Schwartz, MD, MBA
Editor-in-Chief, The Surgeon’s Record
Commons Clinic Senior Clinical Fellow
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