July 21, 2017 – Spending $ Foolishly?
 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Charles Rothberg, MD |
July 21, 2017 Volume 17 Number 28 |
Dear Colleagues:
The Daily Beast and other publications reported this week that the current Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services used taxpayer money—earmarked for encouraging enrollment in the ACA—on a multi-pronged public relations campaign designed to damage public opinion of Obamacare.
How is it possible that an agency tasked with overseeing the existing health care law and educating the public can instead divert taxpayer dollars to fly people dissatisfied with the ACA to DC from all over the country to produce negative videos?
The ACA website has also been redesigned. Instead of a direct link to access the sign-up portal, the site criticizes the healthcare.gov and encourages people to use private sector web brokers.
Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told The Daily Beast: “I’m on a daily basis horrified by leaders at the Department of Health and Human Services who seem intent on taking healthcare away from the constituents they are supposed to serve. We always believed that delivering health and human services was the mission of the department. That seems to not be the mission of the current leadership.”
Governor Awards $76.3 M
Also, this week, Gov. Cuomo awarded $76.3 million (see list below)to support 27 projects that will protect and transform New York’s health care system. More dollars for healthcare is good for patients, good for physicians, and good for our communities.
Sincerely,
Charles Rothberg, MD
MSSNY President
Please send your comments to comments@mssny.org
MSSNY Objects to UHC Policy Change re Consultation Reimbursement
In the June United Healthcare Bulletin, the plan placed a notice regarding the elimination of reimbursement for consultation codes effective October 1, 2017. UHC indicates that they are adopting a policy that was put forth by CMS for the Medicare program back in 2010. MSSNY is joining with other entities of organized medicine to voice our strong opposition to UHC regarding this egregious policy change.
ACA Repeal/Replacement Could Affect Coverage of Some 370,000 Long Islanders
Newsday (NY) (7/15) reported that nearly 370,000 people in Long Island “could see their access to health coverage directly affected by the possible repeal and replacement of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.” In a statement, Dr. Charles Rothberg, President of the Medical Society of the State of New York, said, ‘While a wholesale review of the flaws of the ACA should be undertaken, we are deeply concerned about potentially significant adverse consequences to New York’s residents and its health care system arising from proposals before the House and Senate.’” Dr. Rothberg said in an interview, “I think New York and Long Island have the potential to be devastated.”
$491 Million Awarded Statewide to Health Care Facility Transformation Program
27 Awards to Support Essential Health Care Services
This week, Governor Cuomo announced $76.3 million to support 27 projects that will protect and transform New York City’s health care system. As part of the $491 million Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program, this funding will improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout New York State.
“Now, more than ever, we need to protect health care in New York and ensure the system in place is meeting the needs of current and future generations of New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “While others seek to decimate our hospitals and reduce access to quality healthcare, we are investing to help ensure a stronger, healthier New York for all.”
For more information about the 27 awarded providers, the specific funding awarded, and the details about the awarded projects, click here .
Your membership yields results and will continue to do so. When your 2018 invoice arrives, please renew. KEEP MSSNY STRONG!
AMA Update on Senate Reform Bill
While there was considerable activity in the Senate this week, plans for bringing a health system reform bill to the floor for a vote remain very fluid. Up until this week, Majority Leader McConnell could only afford to lose two Republican votes to pass an Affordable Care Act (ACA) “repeal and replace” bill, and with the sad news that Senator John McCain’s illness may keep him away from Washington next week that number could be reduced to one. Nevertheless, under pressure from both from President Trump and a long legislative to-do list, Senator McConnell said he will attempt to bring repeal legislation to the floor next Tuesday.
Process
Senators will be asked on Tuesday to approve a motion to open debate on the House-passed American Health Care Act, H.R. 1628. At this point, it appears that two substitute amendments for the House-passed text are likely candidates to serve as the basis for Senate debate and amendment:
- A revised version of the Obamacare Repeal and Reconciliation Act (ORRA), vetoed by President Obama in 2015, that eliminates mandate penalties as well as all premium subsidies and Medicaid expansion funds; or
- The Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), with modification that include additional funding for opioid addiction treatment and for market stabilization, among other changes.
It is unclear whether there are 50 votes to approve the motion to proceed, let alone for passage of either of these substitute amendments (which could be revised further before Tuesday). To date, enough Senators have expressed opposition to proceeding to either substitute to block its consideration, though negotiations are ongoing.
Want to Get Involved? AMPAC Campaign School October 27-29
The 2017 AMPAC Campaign School will be taking place Oct. 27-29 at the AMA Office in Washington, DC. The school is targeted to AMA members, their spouses, residents, medical students and medical society staff who want to become more involved in the campaign process. Running an effective campaign can be the difference between winning and losing a race. That’s why the AMPAC Campaign School is designed to give you the skills and strategic approach you will need out on the campaign trail. The AMA team of political experts will teach you everything you need to know to run a successful campaign or be a sought-after volunteer.
During the two and a half day in-person portion of the program under the direction of political experts, participants will be broken into campaign staff teams to run a simulated congressional campaign using what they’ve learned from the pre-school workbook activities and videos along with the group sessions on strategy, vote targeting, social media, advertising and more.
NOTE: Faculty, materials (including the pre-school workbooks, videos and all in-person meeting materials) and all meals during the meeting are covered by AMPAC. Participants are responsible for the registration fee ($350 for AMA Members / $1000 for non-members), airfare, and hotel accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (AMA has secured a room block for a discounted rate). The registration fee is waived for residents and students, however, space is limited to four slots and the AMPAC Board will review and select qualified participants from the pool of resident and student applicants.
For more information or to apply click here.
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Physician Opportunities
Cayuga Medical Associates (CMA), a growing multi-specialty group located in the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes Region in Central New York, is currently seeking a Chief Medical Officer to work within the organization. This newly created senior leadership position is designed to ensure that high quality, service-oriented patient care is delivered by Cayuga Medical Associates’ physicians on a consistent basis. The Chief Medical Officer has primary responsibility for clinical issues pertaining to the delivery of patient care services, patient satisfaction, and quality at the practice level. This position will report to the President of CMA, with an administrative dyad/partnership to the Chief Operating Officer. In this role, the Chief Medical Officer will work in an administrative capacity 2 days a week, and will practice as a physician for the remaining 3 days of the workweek.
This position will require the physician to:
- Engage in Physician recruitment, engagement and retention, in collaboration with President and Chief Operating Officer
- Set and communicate performance, service standards and expectations to all providers
- Exercise professional clinical leadership regarding specific cases or questions of quality or compliance
- Assist with compensation model refinements and redesign, with specific focus on quality and productivity metrics
- Oversee CMA’s Physician Action Council (PAC)
- Develop and implements physician peer review system, medical policies, and clinical programs
Qualifications for this position include:
- Graduate from accredited medical school and appropriate residency training
- Board certified physician in a primary care or related sub-specialty area
- Active NYS medical license
- At least 3-5 years of relevant work experience in a physician practice setting, prior experience in physician leadership role preferred
- Strong leadership skills to develop a close, collaborative working relationship with senior leadership team, physician leaders, and practice management staff
The Finger Lakes region of New York offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, as well as rich support of the arts and diverse cultural opportunities, excellent school districts, and charming villages, towns and small cities to call home. If you are dedicated to excellence and possess a commitment to patient-centered care, please submit your CV and cover letter to cma_hr@cayugamedicalassociates.org or fax to (607) 277-1415, attention Human Resources. CMA offers a competitive pay and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer.
The Physician will join our existing team of Board-Eligible/Board-Certified Intensivists. This is a PT/FT position including both nocturnal and daytime responsibilities. The Physician will work with a dedicated group of highly trained mid-level practitioners, respiratory therapists and nurses to provide Critical Care at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY. St. Francis was ranked one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation for Cardiac Care and is top rated nationally in seven other adult specialties.
Aside from Certified Critical Care Nurses, many who have more than 20 years of experience and are expert at caring for this complex patient population, we have a growing pool of Intensivist mid-level practitioners who work hand in hand with our Intensivist physicians to coordinate the care of the critically ill patient, minister to them and perform procedures.
Of course, a New York License is required. J1 or H1 VISAS accepted.
Additional Salary Information: Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. Interested applicants, send resume to: dr.sorett@nassauchest.com
CALL FOR RATES & INFO. CHRISTINA SOUTHARD: 516-488-6100 ext. 355