Letter: No need to regulate urgent care centers
Exterior of the new South Nassau Urgent Care Center at Long Beach, Saturday, June 28, 2014. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
I applaud "The rise of urgent care" [News, Sept. 28], regarding the growth of urgent care centers. Such centers have been operating in New York for more than 30 years, providing on-demand access to high-quality care for patients with unexpected medical needs. This year, urgent care will account for an estimated 7 million patient visits statewide.
Last year, New York State sought to add substantial and duplicative regulations that would increase patient costs and reduce access. The North East Regional Urgent Care Association believes that urgent care medicine is already well regulated and does not require additional oversight.
Fortunately, the state ultimately refrained.
Dr. Jonathan S. Halpert, Albany
Editor's note: The writer is the president of the North East Regional Urgent Care Association.
