“And he is taking new patients”,   somewhat excitedly replied my close relative
when he described his search for a cardiologist.  This remark hit me – I suspect many U.S.
healthcare consumers in the future will be using this term (hopefully) as they
search for medical professional to handle their needs.  With the current trend in healthcare, I
reckon many in the U.S. will be searching for healthcare professional at the
same time many healthcare professionals will be closing their practice to new
patients.  Conversationally, the American
population will use the phase, “taking new patients” or “not taking new
patients” more and more frequently.