Study measures doctors' impact

An estimated 213 medical practices throughout Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Franklin counties pump about $241 million into the local economy, according to a recent study undertaken by the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Developed by Specialized Analytics and Kavet, Rockler & Associates, Storrs, Conn., the study aims to show state legislators that the state can't afford to lose its doctors.

"We have a special model that analyzed how physicians influenced and drove the economy from a lot of different perspectives, not just how much we earn, but also with employees and how much they spend, how much industries are created, and you have to have someone to sell the drugs," said Lynda Lees Adams, the medical society's press coordinator.

Dr. Leah S. McCormack, the society's president-elect, who has a dermatology practice in Queens, said the study looked at a number of factors, including how many people were employed by an office, personal income generated, corporate sales and other areas.

"You pay your secretary a salary, you purchase your office products, your secretary goes out and goes to a movie and restaurant, so all of this money trickles out," Dr. McCormack said. "(Physician) offices are small businesses, and as such there's an economic impact, but this study really showed us what a great impact the doctor offices have. What surprised us was the extent."

According to the study:

■ An estimated 81 medical practices in Jefferson County produce $133 million through 1,009 physicians and staff members.

■ An estimated 85 practices in St. Lawrence County produce $57 million by employing 458 physicians and staff members.

■ An estimated 36 practices with 406 physicians and staff members in Franklin County generate $44 million.

■ In Lewis County, an estimated 11 practices add $6.8 million to the county's economy via 52 physicians and staff members.

When broken down further, the study showed that the average economic impact for each private-practice physician's office was $1.6 million in Jefferson County, $1.2 million in Franklin County, $616,000 in Lewis County and $671,000 in St. Lawrence County.

Ms. Adams said this is the first time the Medical Society of the State of New York initiated such a study, which was used on Physician Advocacy Day on Tuesday in Albany to lobby for medical liability reform, collective negotiation with health insurers, Medicaid reform, expansion of the Doctors Across New York program, surcharge of payers and excise taxes on cigarettes and sugary drinks.

Dr. McCormack said physicians lobby for those items because if medical practices can't survive in the state, doctors will look for employment elsewhere.