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March 31, 2008

Good Morning,

The citation above may be familiar in one form or another to you. While usually attributed to Bismark, many variations have been ascribed to such notables as Churchill, Disraeli, Darrow, and Twain, among others. For me, it is a quote that often comes to mind when I visit the Florida Legislature. Let's just say that watching how laws are made is a rather remarkable process. It's complicated, at times messy, and it requires all who participate to focus on the end results.

Focusing on these results, last week I once again visited the Capitol in Tallahassee. This time I was accompanied by FMA President-Elect Steve West, MD, FMA Secretary Vincent DeGennaro, MD, Council on Legislation Chair Miguel Machado, MD and Council on Legislation Vice-Chair, Alan Routman, MD. With several health care bills up in committees, we were there to make sure your interests were represented and your voices were heard.

Also representing your interests was the FMA's lobbying team. This team, assembled several months ago, is recognized and appreciated by friend and foe alike. On duty 24/7, they are a tangible manifestation of your dues dollars at work and we are fortunate to have them at our side. To the untrained eye, their work may appear easy. However, I can tell you, from close personal observations, it is not. Their work is challenging and their hours are long. Both their perseverance and experience are required and a sense of timing and good humor has proven helpful. Despite their hard work though, even they know there are no guarantees.

In addition to a strong lobbying team, to be successful in this process it is essential to have more than a few friends in the Legislature. Winning these friends can be a long journey that begins years before they set foot in their chambers. This is why the FMA Political Action Committee's involvement in political campaigns paves the way for success in the legislative arena. Each time I visit the Capitol, it is a source of pride to see the very candidates we have supported through the FMA PAC, MD 1000 Club and many personal contributions and activities over the years helping us advance our agenda through the process. If you have not already, consider joining the FMA PAC and MD 1000 Club and help us elect more friends. To learn more, click here. Your participation is essential if we are to successfully face future challenges.

The prime sponsors of our Managed Care Bill (SB 1012 / HB 405), Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Bill Galvano are two of the brightest and toughest members of the Florida Legislature. They are tremendous advocates for our profession and the public we serve. Drop them a line and thank them for their willingness to take on the rich and powerful to make it easier for you to care for all your patients--insured and uninsured alike.

Speaking of our Managed Care Bill, I am happy to report SB 1012 cleared yet another hurdle in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon when it passed the Health Care Regulation Committee by a vote of 7 to 1. I would like to recognize two members, Sen. Durell Peaden (R-2 ) and Sen. Mike Fasano (R-11 ), who spoke out strongly in favor of this legislation in committee. Send them a note of thanks. I also want to thank the Chair of that Committee, Senate President-Designate Jeff Atwater (R-25) for placing this bill on the agenda and voting in favor of it. The following Senators also deserve a special thank you for voting for passage of our bill: Sen. J. D. Alexander (R-27), Sen. David Aronberg (D-17), Sen. Dennis Jones (R-13) and Sen. Gary Siplin (D-19).

That same day, Rep. Ed Homan (R-60), an orthopedic surgeon from Tampa and the House sponsor of Sovereign Immunity for Emergency Services Bill, presented this bill to the House Safety & Security Council. So far, this concept has gained some traction in the House. If the introduction of Sovereign Immunity would make it more likely that you will continue or participate in ER call, please click here to email Dr. Homan with your story and comments. Once again, the battle lines are being drawn. We appreciate Dr. Homan helping us lay the foundation for a strong push in the future.

On Thursday, I visited legislators and later that evening attended the meeting of the Capital Medical Society's Awards Banquet. They honored three of their members for their contributions--Drs. Louis and Julia St. Petery received the I. B. Harrison MD Humanitarian Award and Dr. Larry Deeb received the Outstanding Physician Award. FMA Board Member, John Katopodis, MD, former FMA and FLAMPAC President, Gerold L. Schiebler, MD and his wife Audrey and the FMA's Director of Policy Management, Mr. Russ Jackson, were in attendance. Louis was quoted in the local paper as remarking "We've been singled out for this award, but we personally see it as a group effort." This captures the essence of all that we accomplish as physicians. It is a genuine group effort involving our families, our colleagues, hospitals and many others who play important roles in the delivery of high-quality care. At the center of this dynamic stands the physician--the independent advocate for our patients. This is a role worth defending and worth the sacrifice.

This week, I can be found in the halls of another Capitol, this time in Washington, DC. Along with other physicians, I will be visiting key members of the Florida Congressional Delegation and both of Florida's Senators. We will be delivering the message that the current Medicare reimbursement system is unsustainable and, unless substantially addressed, all of us will suffer from a decline in access to care. You can be sure I will have more on this to follow.