Physicians say trial lawyers, health insurers and hospitals have a "major responsibility" in reducing healthcare costs — more than physicians, according to a new survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A total of 2,556 physicians responded to the survey, which was led by researchers from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic. The following figures reflect the percentage of respondents who believe each party has a "major responsibility" in reducing healthcare costs:
Trial lawyers — 60 percent
Health insurers — 59 percent
Hospitals and health systems — 56 percent
Pharmaceutical and device manufacturers — 56 percent
Patients — 52 percent
Government — 44 percent
Individual practicing physicians — 36 percent
Physician professional societies — 27 percent
Employers — 19 percent
Instead, 59 percent of survey respondents said physicians have "some responsibility" in reducing healthcare costs.
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