L A N C A S T E R M E D I C A L S O C I E T Y.O R G
Executive Director’s Message
2013: A Year in Review 2013 WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR PENNSYLVANIA PHYSICIANS
“Thank physicia you to the manage ns, practice rs, who ext and readers e congratu nded their lati job well ons on a done.”
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013 was a good year for Pennsylvania physicians. Through the advocacy efforts of both the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Lancaster City & County Medical Society, several laws affecting all Pennsylvania physicians were passed or moved toward Governor Corbett’s desk. Successes include:
• Apology Bill – Thanks in large part to PAMED and LCCMS members, the so-called “Apology Bill”, now Act 79 of 2013, was signed into law by Gov. Corbett in October. (Read more on page 9.) • Physician Assistant Bill – On November 27, 2013, Gov. Corbett signed two bills into law that will permit the Physician Assistant counter-signature requirement to be relaxed under appropriate circumstances. PAMED and the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants support this legislation as it ultimately increases access to care through physician-led, team-based care. • Controlled Substance Database – A bill that would create a controlled substance database (to give physicians better knowledge of prescriptions written for and filled by patients) is one step closer to becoming law. The success is a result of two years of efforts by PAMED and its county societies’ members who recognize the value such a database would have on reducing doctor-shopping and controlled substance abuse. The Medical Society’s “Pills for Ills, Not Thrills” campaign played a major role in public support for this legislation. PAMED is working to reconcile differences between House Bill 1694 and Senate Bill 1180 to make this important tool a reality for Pennsylvania physicians.
As we start 2014, the Medical Society will be advocating for physicians on several issues, including:
As always I want to engage you in the conversation, and we welcome you to suggest topics that will serve the interests of the Lancaster medical community and your patients. Please contact me at: klyons@lancastermedicalsociety.org or 717.393.9588.
• Team-Based Care – With millions more Pennsylvanians gaining health insurance as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) goes into effect, physicians want to be sure that patient care is team-based and physician-led. • Healthy Pennsylvania – Gov. Corbett’s package of initiatives that supports pro-physician, pro-patient measures. • Voluntary Reporting of Psychiatric Bed Capacity – Working with partners in psychiatry and emergency medicine, PAMED supports a program for hospitals to voluntarily report their psychiatric bed capacity. • Loan Forgiveness and Residency Slot Expansion – The proposal will endorse increased medical student debt forgiveness, which has been a long-time goal of the Medical Society. In addition, a proposal to provide additional funding to increase the number of in-state primary care residency slots is being pursued.
To learn more about the successes and goals of both the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Lancaster City & County Medical Society, visit our websites: www.pamedsoc.org or www.lancastermedicalsociety.org.
lancastermedicalsociety.org
The Lancaster City & County Medical Society sincerely thanks our member physicians for their support of these efforts — current and future. If you’re not yet a member, join us. You’ll gain access to educational resources, practice management support, and networking opportunities with colleagues. This is your medical society — add your voice, make a statement, and shape the practice of medicine in Pennsylvania. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!
LANCASTER
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PHYSICIAN