Five Statewide Healthcare Groups Ask DPH for Public Hearing on Retail-Based Clinics

A joint news release from MMS, MHA, MAAAP, MAAFP, MLCHC  

Contacts:  
Richard Gulla, Mass. Medical Society, 781-434-7101 
Karen Brenke, Mass. Academy of Family Physicians, 978-526-9753
John LoDico, Mass. Hospital Association, 781-272-8000 X151
Cathleen Haggerty, Mass. Chapter, AAP, 781-895-9852
Kerin O'Toole, Mass. League of Community Health Centers, 617-426-2225

Waltham/Boston/Burlington -- June 14, 2007 -- Saying that the Department of Public Health should not allow an express waiver of certain clinic requirements without a public hearing and review by the Public Health Council, five statewide healthcare provider groups have formally asked the DPH to "open up the review process for a clinic license application by retail-based pharmacies."  

The request comes in response to the application of CVS Corp. to open a MinuteClinic in its Weymouth store. The company has also signaled its intention to open more of these facilities in the future.

In a joint letter sent June 11 to John Auerbach, Commissioner of Public Health, the presidents of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Massachusetts Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of  Pediatrics issued their "strong objection to adopting a profound change in the DPH's views regarding where medicine may be practiced through a non-public process and raised serious concerns related to ensuring that the Department holds these retail-based clinics to the same standards as those held by a medical clinic." 

The letter also pointed to a host of concerns, including personal hygiene facilities for infection control, monitoring patient safety, a physician supervision model for nurse practitioners practicing in this environment, integrated medical records systems, the mix of patients that will be served, and credentialing reviews, as well as meeting fire safety, ADA (American with Disabilities Act), and other Life Safety Code issues. 

"These and other clinical issues," wrote the presidents, "without a true vetting and public discussion, will result in a profound impact on the public health and our health care infrastructure. Granting waivers of basic public health protections and standards of care to a for-profit company in order to reduce the economic burden to that company in competing with other health care providers is a public policy decision that is unfair to providers who are struggling to meet a great set of current regulatory and licensure requirements."

The letter was signed by B. Dale Magee, M.D., M.P.H, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society; Robert E. Gibbons, Interim President and CEO, Massachusetts Hospital Association; Patricia A. Sereno, M.D., M.P.H., president of the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians; Karen McAlmon, M.D., F.A.A.P., president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; and James W. Hunt, Jr., President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.