MDNews - Central New York

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ + +++ + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ❮ HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVES T H E Y E A R 2 0 1 6 i s s t i l l f ou r months away, but the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) and other physician organizations will begin serious work this month on their state and federal leg- islative agenda for next year. MSSNY's Physician Advocacy Committee will meet on Sept. 9 and again on Oct. 14 to prepare its legislative agenda for next year. The final document will be approved by the Council, the governing body of the State Medical Society later this year. County medical societies and specialty societies in the state will take part in the September and October meetings. Among the specialty societies participating in these deliberations represent a wide range of specialists, including anesthesiologists, family physicians, internists, ophthalmolo- gists, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, radiolo- gists, surgeons and others. Participation in the meetings can be in person at MSSNY's headquarters on Long Island or at its Albany office or by teleconference from other sites across the state. The 2015 session produced some significant victories for physicians and physician organizations. These wins, like in past years, often were successful attempts to head off passage of bills that would be detrimental to physicians and patients. Efforts to expand the statute of limitations, for example, could have increased the cost of medical malpractice insurance by as much as 15 percent, a figure confirmed by the Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC). MLMIC poliycholders were notified that premiums for the policy year, which began on July 1st, would remain the same. Physicians renewing coverage with the company are receiving a 5 percent dividend this year. Once again a number of legislative proposals to expand the scope of practice for a number of non-physicians were not approved. These measures would have expanded the scope of practice for dental surgeons, podiatrists, chiropractors, naturopaths and others. A proposed new mandated course for physicians dispens- ing pain medications was also defeated for another year as was a bill to allow retail clinics to be operated by large corporate entities. Liz Dears Kent, Esq., who heads MSSNY's excellent Governmental Relations team, says that legislative leaders in the state Senate and the state Assembly continue to talk about their desire to open up access to the courts for medical malpractice action now denied in some instances because of current statute of limitations laws. Liz sees this as a challenge and an opportunity for physicians and hospitals to make their credible argument that New York's civil justice system has produced some of the highest medical liability premiums in the country. That liability climate is often cited as a major impediment to keeping young physicians in New York state after they complete their training. Making matters worse is the current, statewide physician shortage, which is predicted to get more severe in future years. With the passage of each year, Liz sees the need to adopt state legislation approving collective bargaining for physi- cians currently denied that privilege. Health insurance companies and hospitals oppose collective bargaining for physicians who often feel that they are on far less than a level playing field. This year, President of the Onondaga County Medical Society, Dennis Nave, is also President of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, a post he has held for several years. He has been a strong advocate of the collective bargaining bill in Syracuse and in Albany and has consistently sought labor backing on other legislation important to physicians and patients. At the national level, physician pres- sure regarding the Oct. 1st deadline for implementing the new ICD codes resulted in some last minute relief. On July 6 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the American Medical Association announced that in the first year of the ICD 10 coding, there will be no penalties for physicians. I still cannot stop dreaming about how much more success physicians and physi- cian organizations would have if more physicians were dues-paying members of county, state and national medical societies. The additional financial clout from more members can make a huge difference for physicians. Be a member, and make your voice heard. You really cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and just complain. Gerald N. "Jerry" Hoffman was chief executive officer of the Onondaga County Medical Society for 33 years before his retirement last year. He is co-author of two books, Medical Malpractice Insurance, A Legislators Views and The History of Local Medical Care, 1806-2006. ■ Preparing for Legislative Session 2016 By Gerald N. "Jerry" Hoffman M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Central New York | 5

• Cover