The American Academy of Family Physicians is voicing its support for the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule banning noncompete clauses in employment contracts.
The academy submitted a letter to the FTC April 6, urging the commission to "ensure that organizations employing physicians and other healthcare workers are included in the final rule to protect patient access and continuity of care with their family physician, and to support our nation's healthcare workforce."
The FTC proposed a rule to ban employers from imposing noncompetes on their workers in January, and a public comment period on the proposed rule ended April 19.
AAFP, which represents 129,600 family physicians, argued that noncompete agreements disrupt patient access to physicians, stifle competition and limit physicians' ability to choose their employer, among other consequences.
In March, the American College of Emergency Physicians also publicly supported the proposed rule. AAFP and ACEP's stance runs counter to the American Hospital Association, which urged the FTC to oppose the proposed ban on noncompetes in a Feb. 22 letter.