The Doctor's Lounge
Where scalpels meet systems — and physicians say what they really think.
Co-hosted by Dutch Rojas & Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, with Anish Koka, MD, Dan Choi, MD, & Sanat Dixit, MD — candid talks on healthcare policy, reform, physician autonomy & patient care.
The Doctor's Lounge
Medicaid: The Safety Net with Cracks
🎯 Why Listen:
A candid conversation on whether non-compete clauses in physician contracts harm doctors, patients, and the healthcare system — and what real reform might look like.
Co-Hosts:
- Dutch Rojas - Private Healthcare Advocate
- Anthony DiGiorgio, DO, MHA – Neurosurgeon, UCSF; health policy researcher.
- Anish Koka, MD – Private practice cardiologist, Philadelphia; healthcare policy commentator.
- Dan Choi, MD, FAAOS – Orthopedic spine surgeon, Long Island; healthcare advocate and social media voice.
- Sanat Dixit, MD, FACS
Episode Overview:
Dutch and Anthony tackle the controversial topic of non-compete clauses in physician contracts — exploring their history, how they affect patient access, and whether proposed bans could change the landscape for both independent and employed doctors. Along the way, they discuss the unintended consequences of eliminating non-competes, the corporate pushback against reform, and what a balanced solution might look like.
Notable Quotes:
- “When a hospital locks down a doctor with a non-compete, they’re really locking down the patients.” – Anthony DiGiorgio
- “If we want more competition in healthcare, we can’t keep building fences around physicians.” – Dutch Rojas
The Episode:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
01:10 – What Are Non-Competes?
03:45 – The History Behind Physician Non-Competes
07:20 – How Non-Competes Limit Patient Access
10:40 – The FTC’s Proposed Ban & Pushback
15:05 – Hospital Arguments for Keeping Non-Competes
19:15 – Potential Unintended Consequences
24:00 – Case Studies: When Non-Competes Hurt Communities
29:30 – Alternatives to Non-Competes
34:50 – What Real Reform Could Look Like
38:10 – Closing Thoughts
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