FROM THE MEMBERS

MSSNY SUPPORTS GOVERNOR SPITZER’S PEACE CORPS FOR PHYSICIANS INITIATIVE

“We applaud Governor Spitzer’s resolve to address the growing physician shortage and maldistribution problem, which is now occurring in both primary care and among specialists in many areas of New York State,” said Robert B. Goldberg, DO, President of the Medical Society of the State of New York. According to data collected by the Center for Healthcare Workforce Studies, School of Public Health, University at Albany, and released in December 2006, there is a continuing downward spiral in the number of practicing physicians in certain specialties, including OB-GYN, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery and Thoracic Surgery and Psychiatry. A growing decline in the number of primary care physicians has also developed. The hardest hit areas are Western New York, the Finger Lakes, the North Country, and the Mohawk Valley regions, but even within downstate communities such as New York City, growing shortages are occurring within certain specialties.

In its Legislative Program for 2008, the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) has called for legislative efforts to redress physician recruitment and retention problems by improving the practice environment for physicians in New York State. In his 2008 State of the State Address, Governor Spitzer recognizes the severe problems faced by several regions throughout New York and has vowed to devise and implement solutions to these shortages this year. “We commend Governor Spitzer for the foresight he has exhibited in committing the necessary state resources to begin to redress the access problems that would have surely been faced by New Yorkers without this action”.

In addition to supporting the Governor’s “Peace Corps” for Doctors initiative, the Medical Society supports implementation of programmatic changes to existing programs designed to recruit underrepresented minorities to the practice of medicine. MSSNY also supports legislation to provide a state income tax credit for medical student loan repayment as an investment in retention of medical residents. All of these steps are essential in meeting the growing demand for physician services, and we congratulate Governor Spitzer on his announcement today of the “Peace Corps” for Doctors program.

MSSNY SUPPORTS GOVERNOR SPITZER’S INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

“We commend Governor Spitzer for re-stating his commitment to enhancing public health through initiatives designed to curb the incidence of childhood disease and to manage diseases affecting adults,” said Robert B. Goldberg, DO, President of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

“We remain supportive of the Governor’s work to shape children’s health behaviors by establishing nutritional standards for foods and beverages sold or offered in elementary and secondary schools,” Dr. Goldberg continued.

Children across the country are becoming more overweight and obese, putting them at risk for serious health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Schools are uniquely positioned to model and reinforce healthful eating behaviors. Because foods and beverages available on the school campus represent significant caloric intake, they should be designed to meet nutritional standards.

Moreover, Dr. Goldberg stated that “the Medical Society also supports the Governor’s proposal to devote more funding for diabetes and asthma self-management education which will enable adults to control factors that may exacerbate existing conditions such as diabetes and asthma, which have each reached epidemic levels in New York State”.

New York State’s physicians have been an integral part of the positive healthcare developments attained in recent memory. We are committed to a continued partnership with New York State in expanding and enhancing the availability and quality of health care services to all residents of our great state.

“We look forward to working with Governor Spitzer and the legislature on these important issues throughout this legislative session,” concluded Dr. Goldberg.

MSSNY SUPPORTS GOVERNOR SPITZER’S INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF CARE THROUGH ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD TECHNOLOGY

“We commend Governor Spitzer for articulating the importance of assuring that necessary resources are provided to enhance adoption of electronic health record (EHR) technology by physicians in practice, particularly those physicians in solo or small group practices,” said Robert B. Goldberg, DO, President of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Currently, the physician adoption rate for electronic health records is low (18% in 2006 and even lower in solo and small group physician offices at 8%). “In large measure, this is the result of the significant capital investment required to move to EHRs,” said Dr. Goldberg. Certainly, the use of electronic health records has been proven to improve the quality and efficiency of care while reducing health care costs and medical errors. Moreover, one study reported a 70% improvement in patient satisfaction when providers used an electronic health record, which improved the availability of clinical and patient information.

Dr. Goldberg stated that “the Medical Society also supports the Governor’s commitment to assuring the development of a standards-based interoperable system to advance the widespread adoption of electronic health record technology.”

New York State’s physicians have been an integral part of the positive healthcare developments attained in recent memory. We are committed to a continued partnership with New York State in expanding physician adoption of electronic health record technology and enhancing the availability and quality of health care services to all residents of our great state through expanded HEAL NY funding as well as other programs that will ensure inclusion of the small and mediums sized physician practices.

“We look forward to working with Governor Spitzer and the legislature on this important issue throughout this legislative session,” concluded Dr. Goldberg.

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