AMCNO Hosts Legislative Breakfast at Parma Community Hospital

On Friday, June 8 the AMCNO sponsored a Legislative Breakfast at Parma Community Hospital. Although not all of the invited legislators were able to attend, the meeting was productive in that the physician participants were able to voice their concerns to the AMCNO legislative staff and legislators. A key component of the AMCNO legislative agenda for 2007 is to coordinate meetings with hospitals/groups in the region. These meetings are to educate physicians and legislators on the ongoing impact of medical issues on access to care, physician practice, hospital care and reimbursement issues. The breakfast format is not a fundraiser, rather an opportunity for physicians to meet with legislators from the hospital’s district.

Representative Tim DeGeeter was in attendance for the Parma Community Hospital breakfast. Rep. DeGeeter is a co-sponsor of HB 125 – the Healthcare Simplification Act – legislation aimed at reducing the red tape created by health insurers when dealing with physician claims and insurance matters. The AMCNO is a supporter of this legislation and the meeting provided an opportunity for discussion on this important issue. Rep. DeGeeter is also a member of the newly formed House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee. Rep. DeGeeter heard from the physicians at the meeting about several key items including the impact of Medicare payment cuts on physicians and their practice and the continued hostile medical liability environment specific to Northern Ohio and how this impacts physician recruitment to the area.

AMCNO representatives provided information on the AMCNO legislative agenda for 2007 inclusive of work on SB 59 – the mandatory arbitration bill. Another key topic of conversation evolved around the community benefit issue affecting hospitals, which could impact on physicians as well. The AMCNO is working to set up legislative breakfasts at area hospitals across the region. If you would like to set up a breakfast at your hospital, please email the AMCNO EVP/CEO at ebiddlestone@amcnoma.org