Massachusetts Medical Society President cites professional liability, Medicare reform as biggest issues facing Mass. physicians

In address to House of Delegates at Society's interim meeting, Society President Dr. Thomas E. Sullivan outlines the challenges ahead as well as the successes to date - especially of technological advances -- of Society activities.

Framingham, Mass. (PRWEB) November 9, 2003 -- Citing professional liability and Medicare reform as the two biggest issues facing physicians, Thomas E. Sullivan, M.D., president of the 18,000 physician-member Massachusetts Medical Society, told the organizations governing body today that our health care system is in need of fundamental, structural change" and that reform must be one of our most important tasks."

Sullivans remarks were made at the Societys 2003 two-day Interim Meeting of the organizations House of Delegates at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel where physicians are considering a number of public health and health policy resolutions and reports.

Our health care system has so much promise," Sullivan told some 500 physicians, but fails so many, especially those who need care and cannot get it. Fixing what ails our health care system must be a national priority."

Sullivan said the two biggest issues facing physicians throughout the state continue to be professional liability and Medicare reform.

For some physicians, he said the professional liability climate is intolerable," with medical malpractice premiums for some specialties routinely exceeding $100,000 and literally forcing them out of business or out of state. Medical malpractice premiums for most Massachusetts physicians have risen 9, 14, 12.5 and 20 percent on average over the last four years, and more double-digit increases are expected in 2004.

The tort system is an imperfect method to compensate the injured," he said. Its arbitrary, inefficient, and unfair, both to patients and physicians" and needs to move away from the shame and blame system" of today. The Medical Societys number one legislative priority has been tort reform, and several bills are now being considered by the state legislature to provide relief for Massachusetts physicians and their patients.

The soaring rates are forcing physicians to curtail services, leave the state, or retire early," said Sullivan, and thats causing problems of access to care. Expectant women are waiting longer and traveling farther for care, neurosurgeons are in short supply throughout the state, and waiting times for other services, such as orthopedic and radiological tests and treatment, are increasing."

Sullivan also cited Medicare reform as another big issue facing physicians. Medicare has recently announced a 4.5 percent cut in physician reimbursements - the second cut in three years - effective January 1. Congress still must fix the deep structural flaws in Medicares physician reimbursement formula," said Sullivan. It is especially critical in Massachusetts, he said, because reimbursements from private and public payers are tied to the Medicare rate schedule.

Sullivan acknowledged substantial progress in technological applications that are helping physicians in their practices and improving care for patients. The Medical Societys recently announced agreement with DrFirst, a Rockville, Maryland-based provider of electronic healthcare solutions for physicians and hospitals, to offer physicians the capability for electronic prescriptions is one step in technological advancement. And the Society is working on a national level to establish a Continuity of Care Record," an electronic medical record system that will simplify clinical information exchange for patients and their doctors.
   
As an example of additional technological advancements in physician practice management, Sullivan called attention to the Medical Societys newly redesigned Physician Practice Resource Center, a member service that can offer first-class software tools for enhanced practice management and medical records technology.
   
The Massachusetts Medical Society, with 18,000 physicians, residents, and student members, is dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians and patients of Massachusetts. Founded in 1781, the MMS is the oldest continuously operating medical society in the country. The Society owns and publishes The New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal Watch family of professional newsletters, AIDS Clinical Care, and produces HealthNews, a consumer health publication.
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