US doctors' incomes are falling, new survey finds

The average income of doctors in the United States fell by 7% from 1995 to 2003, a new report says. The report is from the Center for Studying Health System Change, a non-profit research group in Washington, DC.

Worst affected were primary care doctors, whose income—after expenses such as malpractice insurance but before taxes were deducted—fell by 10% over the period, while surgeons' income fell by 8%. Medical specialists' income remained relatively unchanged.

The incomes of lawyers and other professionals rose by 7% during the …