Noncompete agreements are commonly used when recruiting physicians, especially when physicians need assistance in relocating and getting established in new communities. Recruitment is taxing on a hospital’s or health system’s resources, with the costs potentially climbing to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
HB 1967 would place restrictions on the use of noncompete agreements, instead favoring increased use of alternatives, such as nonsolicitation and nondisclosure agreements. While the legislation is predominately directed to the tech industry, these alternatives would not protect the investments hospitals and health systems make when they recruit physicians. The effect is to make it harder and more risky to bring physicians into our communities.
WSHA opposes this bill. Click here to read more from the January 23 edition of Inside Olympia. (Zosia Stanley)
House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee: Tuesday, February 14, 1:30 p.m.
