Family Physicians Encouraged by Noncompete Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Contact:
Julie Hirschhorn
AAFP Public Relations
jhirschhorn@aafp.org

Statement attributable to:
Steven P. Furr, MD, FAAFP
President
American Academy of Family Physicians

"The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is pleased to see the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) take concrete action to ban noncompete clauses in employee contracts. This decision puts patients first and ensures family physicians can pursue opportunities that value their expertise and continue to provide high-quality care that their communities need.

"We are also encouraged to see that the FTC intends for this ban to extend to many nonprofit entities. Nonprofit health systems often have significant financial assets and employ a large portion of physicians and clinicians. They should not be permitted to continue to restrict patient access and physician choice in employment.

"The AAFP remains committed to creating a level playing field for family physicians who work in all practice settings, including small and independent practices, who may not have the resources to recruit and retain new physicians.

"We are hopeful that the elimination of noncompete clauses will encourage employers to pursue more collaborative ways to retain physicians and become employers of choice, while preserving long-term, meaningful patient-physician relationships."

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