Monday Morning Report

"Take the rope apart, separate it into the small threads that compose it, and you can break them one by one. You think, 'That is all there was!' But twist them all together and you have something tremendous." - Victor Hugo

The pressure is building toward November and, inevitably, events in the political arena are forcing many critical issues to the back burner. Nationally, the need for comprehensive Medicare reform is not being addressed and we can only hope that our U.S. Senators and Representatives will patch SGR for the midterm. Calls and letters to them are important at this time and I would encourage you to request a "fix" lasting at least 18 months.

At the State level, the budget crisis continues and many worthwhile programs are in jeopardy. No one is exempt from experiencing devastating cuts. Despite this, the FMA is continuing in our efforts to increase Medicaid reimbursement levels for Florida physicians. This promises to be a difficult uphill battle. On the bright side, our Managed Care Bill (SB 1012, HB 405) is still gaining momentum. Last week, it progressed through its final committee stop in the Senate and is now poised to go to the floor. I urge you to contact your State Senators and Representatives and voice your support for these important issues.

The FMA is continuing to play offense by battling multiple scope of practice issues. Already, we have been successful in opposing a bill to remove the right for physicians to self-insure. Not surprisingly, the Florida Trial Lawyer's President has written an article, filled with clever distortions and errors, opposing all tort reform. Click HERE to read their latest attempt at spinning the plight of Florida physicians. This article will not only make you angry, but also give you a true glimpse into how the trial lawyers view you and your profession.

Former HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan put it best last summer when he told us that we will never get health care costs under control until we get the lawyers out of health care. Despite what the trial bar says, Florida is facing a crisis in medicine. Low reimbursement rates and the high cost of malpractice insurance are changing how and if physicians practice medicine in our state. Click HERE to read an article about this very subject in today's Palm Beach Post.

In addition to our legislative efforts, we continue to remain vigilant in the regulatory arena. Your FMA staff is constantly monitoring the Department of Health (DOH), the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), and all 33 Boards, including the Board of Medicine. If you have not read the recent report by the FMA's Regulatory Affairs Counsel, Jennifer Forshey, Esq, click HERE. You can also find her update on the Physician Workforce Survey HERE.

In addition to representing your interests, I continue to do a lot of listening. Last Monday, I was privileged to participate in a town hall meeting with local physicians and community leaders at the invitation of the Duval County Medical Society's President, Dr. Glenn Knox. (See photo on left) The next day, I was able to meet and speak with several physicians practicing in the Upper Keys at a reception hosted in the home of FMA Vice President, Dr. Jim Dolan and his wife, Cheryl in Islamorada. And on Wednesday evening I addressed the hospital medical staff in Key West. Click here to read more about these events.

While the physicians may have been miles apart, their message could not have been more similar. In each case, they wanted to tell me their story and learn how the FMA was helping doctors practice medicine. Today's message underscores how we are doing that. While the political and regulatory climate will continue to change, here's one thing I know for sure. We are fighting the good fight for Florida's doctor's and that will never change.

If you have not already renewed your membership and your support of the FMA, please click HERE to do so now. The requirement for advocacy on behalf of our profession is as acute as ever and our effectiveness is directly proportional to your participation. Join me in helping us become even more effective advocates for you and our patients. Together, we will "have something tremendous."