ABSTRACT
The role of health care providers in politics has historically been one of mutual exclusivity. Politics has always been considered by most health care professionals to be the domain of the politicians. Many providers of patient care choose to remain in clinical isolation, ignoring those things that suggest "politics." In the last few years, the regulation of health care has become overwhelming. It is estimated that as much as one fourth of all health care dollars are spent just on paperwork and administrative functions. The health care system has become burdensome and unwieldy to both the health care providers and the consumers. In the past, most health care providers had little to do with legislation and regulation. The 1990s may prove that politics and health care should never again be mutually exclusive.
