The Medical Society of the County of Albany

Since the Albany Times Union newspaper seems unwilling to publish our President’s letter to the editor, we’ll publish it here for our 15,000 readers.

As we approach what may be the climax of health care reform, I wish to take a moment to inform people of the level of involvement physicians have had in the discussion by way of their professional societies.  Specifically, I am referring to the Medical Societies of the County of Albany and State of New York, and the American Medical Association.

The medical societies and the AMA are, in fact, deeply involved in seeking meaningful health care reform both in Washington and in New York State.  There are reform measures that can translate into real savings for patients and real improvement in the way that we provide care.  The adoption of health information technology is a cornerstone of the efforts of the medical societies and the AMA that will improve patient safety and achieve greater efficiencies.  Achieving real managed care reform by addressing the concentration of 80% of the New York commercial managed care market into only 6 companies can only help in expanding patient access to primary and specialty care.  And, of course, realizing that our run-away medical liability systems drive physicians into making unnecessary tests and adding to costs, we need to urge Congress to pass meaningful medical liability reform.  The CBO estimates that with national medical liability reform we could save more than $50 billion over the next ten years.

The Medical Society of the County of Albany, the State of New York and the American Medical Association are proud to be actively involved in developing meaningful health care reform.  It is our mutual desire for physicians to remain united to advocate for the patients we serve.

DAVID SHULAN, M.D.,

President