Joseph Gauta, MD
drg@swfla.rr.com
Collier
Obstetrics & Gynecology
We clearly oppose the activities of pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions for our patients based on their own personal and religious views. We feel that every human being has a right to confidential and informed communications with their health care providers, and that the decisions made between the physician and patient regarding personal health care issues should be honored and respected.
One of our biggest concerns is the possibility of pharmacists refusing to fill birth control prescriptions to our patients because of their own views regarding abortion and right to life issues. We all have personal and professional feelings about these issues, but we must not allow these feelings to get in the way of sound scientific judgment and informed, thoughtful decision making on the part of our patients. Availability of comprehensive health care is a must for the success of our growing state. People can choose on a personal basis how to proceed with right to life issues and contraception, but their efforts should never be stifled by others who may feel differently than they do.
Our other concern regards women who may be involved in forceful relationships and even rape. These patients have a right to emergency contraception, which should be easily and readily available to them. Refusal of pharmacies and pharmacists to fill these types of prescriptions directly interferes with the physician-patient relationship and has been condemned by the American Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association. Early discussions about these issues may help save lives, may help educate people about the risks of unwanted pregnancies, and can be done in a way that does not alter or infringe upon the personal views of our patients. The physicians of the Florida should be prepared to discuss these issues with the non-physician members of our community, and should do so in a non-confrontational manner. In this way, we will foster education and patients’ right to open, factual dialogue with their physicians.
Shane Hunt, President, FMA Physicians Advantage
As a young physician today you have probably spent the last 20 to 30 years receiving some form of education, and it may feel as though there is nothing else to learn. After speaking with your colleagues and working with them in the CAPS+ program they all seem to agree that while medicine is covered, finances can sometimes be a little tough to tackle.
With the support of the FMA, FMA Physicians Advantage has developed a program known as CAPS+, or Comprehensive Asset Protection System, which addresses the serious legal and financial issues physicians are facing and provides a solution. CAPS+ is not the “cookie cutter” asset protection touted by some fly-by-night marketers. Rather, CAPS+ allows Florida physicians the opportunity to receive an individualized plan by a team of well respected attorneys, accountants and financial planners which addresses asset protection, tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning issues.
We at FMA Physicians Advantage would like to invite you and your colleagues to find out more about the CAPS+ program at one of our upcoming events at FMAadvantage.org, or by speaking with a physician colleague that may be a CAPS+ member. You may also obtain more information by calling 1-866-FMA-DOCS. Even if you decide not to enroll in the CAPS+ program now, please take the time to learn what planning steps you should engage in to start out on the right foot.
For the full article, please click here.
Legislative Update
The week of March 27 during the 2006 Legislative Session was an extremely busy,
yet successful week for the FMA. The top priority bill, Expert Witness (SB
2686 by Senator Webster), passed out of the Senate Health Care Committee on
Wednesday, March 29. Additionally, the Joint & Several Liability Bill, (SB
2006 by Senator Webster), which passed out of the House last week, passed
out of the Senate on Thursday, March 30, and is headed to the Governor for
signature. For details of many other legislative victories, visit
www.fmaonline.org/legis/.
Shazia Asif Aman is a 3rd Year Medical Student at Florida State University and needs your help. She is currently running for the student position in the Women Physicians Congress Governing Council. If you are a current member of WPC, please be sure to cast your vote for Shazia. For details on how you can join, go to www.ama-assn.org/go/wpc or you can call (800) 262-3221 for more details.