Page 10 - Delaware Medical Journal - November 2015

PRESIDENT’S PAGE
AMA has already started to discuss with legislators what the impact on physicians will be with the merging of large health insurance companies, such as Aetna
and Humana and Cigna and Anthem. According to the AMA study, Delaware is already listed as having the third least competitive health insurance market. both premium costs to patients, as well as access to narrow physician networks, is the basis of the AMA’s and MSD’s efforts in this area.
In Delaware, the Medical Society Government Affairs Committee continues to address an increasing number of legislative bills regarding expanding scope of practice for non- physicians and increasing governmental regulations and mandates regarding clinical practice. The News Journal recognized the level of work that the Medical Society does in advocating for physicians and the volume of legislative bills related to health care issues in its July 17th edition “Who lobbies most in Dover?” At #4, MSD was one of three health-related organizations in the top six, along with the Delaware Healthcare Association, which represents health care systems, and Christiana Care Health System, which was ranked independently.
Promoting and Enhancing
Medical Practice
While the Government Affairs Committee has a very visible role and advocacy is an increasingly important priority for practicing physicians, there are other committees which promote and enhance all aspects of medical practice. The MSD Committee on Ethics had discussed at length and contributed
To successfully meet all the challenges of practicing medicine in the 21st century, regardless of practice model (employed, independent, or “other”), it is paramount to become involved, stay engaged, and speak with the power of an organized profession.
to the development of the Medical Society’s position on physician aid in the work that is done nationally by the AMA ethics groups, which comprises the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs; the Ethics Resource Center, and the Institute for Ethics. The MSD School Health and Public Education Committees provide health education in schools and at public forums, including the annual Healthy Living Talks and the OBVIOUS education campaign. The Third Party Payer Committee brings the national focus on issues such as payment reform and prior authorization, and the administration burdens of these regulations, to the state level providing engagement with the chief medical
In closing, I know I have stated in the past that the Medical Society of Delaware and the AMA are only as good as those who participate, i.e., it is only as good as you. For those who have read my President’s pages these last two years, I greatly appreciate
the positive responses and support, as well as apologize for any redundancy
of message. However, even after my presidency, I will continue to encourage physicians in Delaware to recognize that, to successfully meet all the challenges of practicing medicine in
the 21st century, regardless of practice model (employed, independent, or “other”), it is paramount to become involved, stay engaged, and speak with the power of an organized profession. Over the past two years, I have learned much regarding the diversity and work of the Medical Society of Delaware and I do believe if you “learn” it will help you to “lead,” whether in your practice, your health care system, or any aspect of your professional life. Attending this year’s Annual Meeting on November 21st is good place to start.
Nancy Fan, M.D.
President, Medical Society of Delaware
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Del Med J | November 2015 | Vol. 87 | No. 11