Hospital-MD joint ventures move forward despite hurdles.

Although experts say joint ventures are not a financial cure-all for hospitals, hospital-physician partnerships continue to move forward on hospital agendas. Despite some of the regulatory and practical challenges facing would-be joint venturers, health care attorneys, hospital executives and consultants agree that well-planned joint ventures can reap significant rewards for all parties involved. From purchasing equipment together to arranging for joint ownership of an entire hospital, hospital administrators and physician groups are broadening the range of a business management tool with a successful track record. Says one hospital CEO involved in a joint venture with a competing institution, "What drives these things is what's in the best interest of the patients." Joint ventures, he concludes, are "going to be more and more a part of our future."