Alright my faithful SDWC readers and spies…. I’m trying to hunt down another piece of legislation I heard may be floating out there, or at least you can provide an assist with some confirmation.
I’ve gotten word that there may be some legislation coming to help facilitate the expansion of the Avera Health system into the field of dentistry clinics.
Anyone catching wind of this?
It’s not clear right now. Some legislators say they’ve been lobbied on it but no bill yet. Avera must be testing the waters. What would they want this for? Oh…growth. Gotta get bigger right?
I’m pretty sure as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization Avera’s only motive would be to help the less fortunate among us by providing less expensive dental care. A GAO report just reported that hospital employed physicians cost Medicare 51% more on the average than independent physicians. Who doesn’t think we need that kind of cost savings for dentists?
You know, the law enacted through Initiated Measure 17 covers dentists as well. Maybe that’s another reason Sanford is trying to reverse it through HB1067…stifle their major competitor’s expansion plan.
You really need to lay off on the laughing gas.
Tongue firmly in cheek…