MDNews - Central New York

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ + +++ ONONDAGA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A Big Win (for Now) for MSSNY and New York State Physicians By Gerald N. "Jerry" Hoffman IN government floated an idea that physicians' licensure should be tied to their participation in a statewide electronic information network, State Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY). The state's motivation is based on the low physician participation to date, which is in the 10–12 percent range, far short of the state's goal of 75 percent in two years. When the idea came to light last summer, the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) went public with a statement, making it perfectly clear that it is "unalterably opposed to mandated participation with SHIN-NY tied to licensure." At the same time, MSSNY announced its support for a permanent funding stream, provided there is no surcharge on physician services. MSSNY further stated that no costs associated with SHIN-NY participation should be shouldered by physicians and that there should be no user fees and no interface fees. MSSNY also proposed that products should be certified to provide "plug and play interconnectivity." The above issues were discussed at length at the Sept. 10 meeting of the Executive Council, the governing body of the Onondaga County Medical Society. At that meeting, Robert Weisenthal, MD, a past president of the Onondaga County Medical Society and a member of the Board of Directors of HealtheConnections, the area's Regional Health Information Organization, reported that physician board members had shared with HealtheConnections the concerns of physicians about linking physician licensure to participation in SHIN-NY. Dr. Weisenthal said HealtheConnections had forwarded the concerns of local physicians to SHIN-NY. Rob Hack, who serves as Chief Administrative Officer of HealtheConnections, reached out to Liz Dears, Senior Vice President for MSSNY, to make sure she and other MSSNY leaders were aware of his organization's position on this important matter. HealtheConnections, Rob pointed out, was aligned with physicians and others in opposition to mandates and other requirements under proposed state regulations. Dears said that because of MSSNY's opposition and that of other organizations, the state has backed off, and their idea has RECENT MONTHS, STATE been put on the back burner for at least two years. This is just another example of the effectiveness of MSSNY as an advocate and champion of physicians in New York state. Obviously, MSSNY does not always win, but its win-loss record is very impressive. Unfortunately, while all physicians benefit from this outstanding physician advocacy, not enough are willing to pay their fair share by being members. On Nov. 7, MSSNY's Council approved the physician organization's 2014 Legislative Program, which this year is a 20-page document. The priorities for the coming year are divided into three categories: Preserving Patients' Ability to Receive Timely, Quality Care; Enhancing Quality; and Improving Public Health in New York State in the 21st Century. On Page 9 is a section of continuing concern, "Attracting and Retaining Physicians in New York State." In recent years, "the in-state retention of new physicians has gradually declined from a high of 54 percent in 1999 to the lowest since the survey began of 44 percent in 2012. … This is particularly troubling as demand for physician services continues to outpace physician supply, particularly in ophthalmology, urology, psychiatry, pathology, general internal medicine, general/ family medicine and otolaryngology. There are areas of the state and populations that are already underserved by the current physician supply. The implications of the forecasts for these areas and populations are dire. New York must do more to attract and retain physicians." MSSNY is proposing nine steps the state could take to make practicing in New York more attractive. These include "Reducing the overhead burden shouldered by physician practices through meaningful civil justice reform and enhancing revenues to physician practices by leveling the playing field for physicians in their negotiations with health insurers and by assuring the offering of out-of-network coverage, which significantly reimburses for the reasonable cost of services." Gerald N. "Jerry" Hoffman is Executive Vice President of the Onondaga County Medical Society and is co-author of two books, Medical Malpractice Insurance, A Legislator's View, and The History of Local Medical Care, 1806-2006. ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ MD NEWS Central New York |5

• Cover