Programs Critical to Your Patients Could Be on the State Chopping Block

Protecting 2012-2013 state budget funding for health-related programs critical to patient access remains a top legislative priority this session for the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED).

“The state’s financial difficulties once again threaten to significantly cut vital programs that impact access to care for patients,” said Marilyn Heine, MD, president of PAMED.

Programs that are important to physicians across the commonwealth and their patients will feel some impact, but PAMED will work to minimize cuts.

Thanks to the recently completed redistricting process many legislators also will be busy introducing themselves to new constituents and will undoubtedly want to spend as much time at home campaigning as possible. In addition, fewer controversial issues are typically considered during an election year. 

Though budget and election discussions will be the dominant focus at the Capitol this session, ongoing priorities include passage of legislation to:

• Streamline the physician credentialing process (HB 1551)
• Further define ophthalmic surgery to promote patient safety (HB 838)
• Regulate the state’s tanning facilities (SB 349)
• Allow physician apologies after an unforeseen outcome (HB 495)
• Create a new controlled substance database to help lower non-medical use of controlled substances and improve access to pain management care (HB 1651)
• Ensure fair insurance contracts (HB 1763)
• Enact additional tort reforms, including improved certificate of merit and expert witness, state-paid liability insurance for physician volunteers, and a higher standard of evidence for claims against those providing care mandated by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

Dr. Heine recommended, “Physicians should capitalize on the upcoming time legislators spend in their districts. This provides an excellent opportunity for us to develop relationships with our lawmakers, educate them on how our issues impact our patients and our practices, and strengthen our ability to accomplish our advocacy goals in the future.”