Study Reveals New York Can't Afford to Lose Its Doctors

WESTBURY, NY (03/09/2010)(readMedia)-- "New York can not afford to lose its doctors – for health or economic reasons," Leah S. McCormack, MD, President-Elect of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), told a group of healthcare leaders invited to the opening session of MSSNY's Physician Advocacy Day.

She cited some key findings from a just-released study, titled "Economic Impacts of Private Practice Physicians in the State of New York." The 166-page analysis shows how much of New York's employment, salaries, corporate sales and tax revenues are generated by physician private practices at both the state and local level. "This economic impact," she said, "is in addition to all the healthcare that physicians and their staffs provide to New Yorkers."

Highlights from the economic study reveal:

Physician private practices as a group contribute to the NYS economy –

• Employment for 330,594 people, ranking 6th in the state

• Corporate sales of $24.096 billion, ranking 13th in the state

• New York State tax revenue of $4.509 billion

• New York local tax revenue of $4.695 billion

On average, each private practice physician supports –

• Employment for 7.79 New Yorkers

• Generates $1,054,000 in corporate sales

• Generates $106,000 in state tax revenue

• Generates $111,000 in local tax revenue

Doctors meeting in Albany with their representatives outlined the economic impact in local areas. They also called on their representatives for legislative and regulatory changes needed to improve the delivery of affordable, quality healthcare to New Yorkers.

The complete economic impact study – including text and data for 62 counties, 12 metropolitan areas and 21 medical specialties – can be viewed on MSSNY's website at www.mssny.org. Individual reports for New York's counties can also be downloaded here.

Media wishing statewide or local market information and interview opportunities should contact: Lynda Lees Adams at ladams@mssny.org or 516-750-7344.

Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state's principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all.