Key Takeaways
- • A Health Management Associates survey conducted with polling firm SERMO across 28 states found physicians with private equity experience reported more favorable outcomes for their practices and patients than those without.
- • About two-thirds of private equity-backed physicians said private investment improved patient access to care, citing better care coordination, shorter wait times and more efficient scheduling.
- • Three-quarters of physicians said their practices added or expanded medical services after private equity investment, with maternal and behavioral health cited most often.
- • Four-fifths of private equity-backed physicians reported improved operational capacity, and most reported stable or expanded clinical and non-clinical staffing.
- • The article, authored by Jamal Hagler of the American Investment Council, argues that at least 25 states scrutinizing private equity in healthcare should weigh physician perspectives before restricting the investment.
Summary
A new, first-of-its-kind survey by Health Management Associates, conducted in partnership with independent healthcare polling firm SERMO, captured the views of physicians across 28 states, including primary and specialty care providers, divided between those backed by private equity and those who are not. According to the article, the survey found a sharp contrast between the two groups. Physicians without private equity experience expressed concerns about reduced patient access, curtailed autonomy, staffing cuts and limits to operational capacity. Physicians with firsthand experience described more positive outcomes across every category surveyed.
According to the survey as described in the article, about two-thirds of private equity-backed physicians said private investment improved patient access to care in their communities, most often pointing to better care coordination, shorter wait times and more efficient scheduling. A similar share reported an improved ability to interact with patients and to make independent clinical decisions, which the article attributes to private equity reducing paperwork and back-end administrative burdens.
Three-quarters of physicians said their practices added or expanded medical services after receiving private equity investment, with maternal health and behavioral health among the most frequently cited examples. Four-fifths of private equity-backed physicians reported improvements in operational capacity, including strengthened staffing, new facilities and improved technology such as telehealth capabilities. Most reported stable staffing levels and expansion of clinical and non-clinical staff.
The article cites a May 2026 study by Brown University health policy researchers, which found that primary care practices acquired by private equity saw more patients, increased service lines and hired more staff after acquisition. The author acknowledges that bankruptcies, reduced services and other negative outcomes can occur, but characterizes them as exceptions.
The article is an opinion piece by Jamal Hagler, Senior Vice President of Research at the American Investment Council. It notes that at least 25 states are scrutinizing or restricting private equity investment in healthcare, with Vermont joining recently, and argues that physician perspectives should inform state policy.
According to the survey as described in the article, about two-thirds of private equity-backed physicians said private investment improved patient access to care in their communities, most often pointing to better care coordination, shorter wait times and more efficient scheduling. A similar share reported an improved ability to interact with patients and to make independent clinical decisions, which the article attributes to private equity reducing paperwork and back-end administrative burdens.
Three-quarters of physicians said their practices added or expanded medical services after receiving private equity investment, with maternal health and behavioral health among the most frequently cited examples. Four-fifths of private equity-backed physicians reported improvements in operational capacity, including strengthened staffing, new facilities and improved technology such as telehealth capabilities. Most reported stable staffing levels and expansion of clinical and non-clinical staff.
The article cites a May 2026 study by Brown University health policy researchers, which found that primary care practices acquired by private equity saw more patients, increased service lines and hired more staff after acquisition. The author acknowledges that bankruptcies, reduced services and other negative outcomes can occur, but characterizes them as exceptions.
The article is an opinion piece by Jamal Hagler, Senior Vice President of Research at the American Investment Council. It notes that at least 25 states are scrutinizing or restricting private equity investment in healthcare, with Vermont joining recently, and argues that physician perspectives should inform state policy.
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