But this would not be formed for that reason, so we are not forming what most people know to be a union, but an organization that will represent the physicians as a unified body. It may very well end up as a guild. There are some who want us to call it a federation. Whatever you want to call it, that's alright with me. Union seems to have tickled everyone so we continue to use that term.
Most physicians are interested in the physician-patient relationship.
That is the immediate problem. It will take a long time, I assume, but 65 percent of physicians now practicing less than 5 years are employed anyhow. Once they are placed in supervisory roles, they can't join a union that would be able to collective bargaining for them. Eventually the union is going to divide itself into those who are salaried and those who are not salaried so that it can have a better relationship with those physicians who want more forceful negotiations. One of the things we are considering is to have the union attempt to get legislation to make all physicians who sign managed care contracts be considered employees of that HMO, so everyone will be able to collectively bargain.