With the introduction of the Stark Law, the medical field has been brought closer to its roots as a trusted and beneficial source of information and patient care.

I think that with the introduction to the law, the benefit seen by the patient has been immense. The making of referrals based on financial gain, while also somewhat unethical, can usually never turn out to be in the patient’s best interest. With the physician holding all the power in making the referral, unless a more informed patient makes a specific request, the patient can end up anywhere regardless of the professions reputation, quality of care, location, costs and insurance acceptance. Having more information in all of the areas mentioned are important and critical to a patient. With the Stark law in place, physicians can now undoubtedly assist the patient in making a more informed unbiased decision on where to receive care. I think that for both the practice and the patient, the benefits of this have been quite significant. The practice can be sure that the patient is getting the best care possible, while still maintaining a high degree of ethics, and the patient can have all doubt removed from their mind that the care they are receiving is from a qualified individual based on another physicians best judgment, and not just financial gain.

This law was a much needed change in the medical field to restore faith in the practices of doctors by patients. The medical industry is and always will be a business, but to the patient receiving care, it should be seen as an honorable institution. I think that having this law in place helps restore consumer confidence in the medical professions and also makes physicians responsible for the care they give as well as the care they