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this charge and go to a more comprehensive base service, with low price prescription drugs, then <br />it might force these doctors to re-evaluate their fee-for-service model and start being competitive <br />in getting their prices down. He saw this as a step in healthcare reform. <br />Mr. Wilson said it sounds to him that this was "socialized medicine on a county level." <br />Budget Director Jason Brown said government entities are not the only ones instituting <br />these health clinics, and he listed other companies that have undertaken this venture. Director <br />Sexton addressed the concern of "what have we been doing with our health plans in terms of <br />benefit plan changes." He said we are now looking for an overall solution because employees <br />are hit with increased fees. <br />Caroline Godwin, Director of the Indian River County Medical Society, said she was <br />here to gather information about the proposed city clinic. She said their physicians have <br />concerns about patient safety and their part in the city clinic. Another concern was about doctors <br />being put in the position of accepting referrals from the clinic which would be accepting a <br />referral from the government, which is "socialized medicine." They would like to see more <br />transparency and an invitation to the Indian River County Medical Society physicians to become <br />involved in the conversation and decisions about the health clinic. <br />Chairman Davis welcomed their participation and hoped there is a private sector solution, <br />because he inherently has a problem with government competing against the private sector. <br />Director Sexton replied the County was not looking at hiring doctors and bringing on <br />staff, but is looking at hiring a Firm that will run the health clinic, a private sector solution; so <br />they would not be getting a referral from the County government, but the CareHere Clinic, for <br />example. <br />May 19, 2009 32 <br />