gcms 2010 jan bull.qxp - Genesee County Medical Society

MSMS DISTRICT VI UPDATE
MSMS RALLIES TO REFORM MEDICAID &
MAKE MICHIGAN WORKPLACES SMOKE-FREE
Whether it's a grassroots march at
MSMS has been a longtime advocate for
the Capitol to defeat a proposed
smoke-free air. We joined the Campaign
physician tax, efforts of our
for Smokefree Air, which includes more
Reimbursement Advocate helping
than 250 organizations and businesses
members cut through reimbursement
around the state that are committed to
red tape or the delivery of quality
making Michigan workplaces smoke-free.
educational programs, MSMS rallies for
According to the CSA website
members every day.
(www.makemiairsmokefree.org), Michigan
On the state legislative advocacy
is one of only 13 states that have not yet
front, MSMS continues to fight to
passed some kind of indoor smoking ban.
reform the state's ailing Medicaid
Now, we have come closer than ever
system and to improve the health of our
to making this a reality and improving the
state by passing smoke-free workplace
overall health of our state. The Michigan
legislation (Such efforts have paid off as
the legislation passed at press time and
awaits the governor’s pen.).
Venkat Rao, MD
District VI Director
House of Representatives and Senate are in
the last month of session for the calendar
year, and they are expected to take up
TAKING THE LEAD ON MEDICAID REFORM smoke-free workplace legislation before the holiday
MSMS scored a major victory for physicians and break. We must contact our state representatives and
patients in October when our collective grassroots efforts senators early and often to get our message across and
(including a coalition of county and specialty societies) achieve this important goal before year's end (see
helped to stop the proposed physician tax. Now MSMS previous note).
leaders have renewed our committed to working with
TAKE ACTION NOW - All Genesee County
state leaders to reform the state's Medicaid system.
members, Alliance members, residents, medical students,
In light of the 8 percent cut to Medicaid physician and medical group managers should use the prewritten
reimbursement that was passed in the final state budget, message on the MSMS Action Center
reform is more important than ever. That is why the (www.msms.org/action) to contact your representative
MSMS Board of Directors approved a recommendation and senator and thank them for support for smoke-free
that MSMS develop a proposal to reform the state's workplaces. For more information about state legislative
Medicaid program to address issues such as diminishing advocacy, contact Colin Ford at 517-336-5737 or
reimbursement and physician participation, as well as cford@msms.org.
structural problems with the financing and administration Keep watching your email, the MSMS website
of the program.
(www.msms.org) and Medigram for the latest
As we've done in the past, MSMS will continue that developments on these issues.
work as part of the Partnership for Michigan's Health
Although legislative advocacy is only one part of
(with Michigan Health & Hospital Association and what MSMS offers to members, it is important that
Michigan Osteopathic Association). By collectively
members all do what we can to advance the MSMS
meeting with key lawmakers and newspaper editorial Legislative Agenda for the benefit of our patients and our
boards, and other influential groups, our message will be profession. MSMS makes it easy for you to do your part
stronger.
and impact health care policy in Michigan. This is one of
CLEARING THE AIR FOR MICHIGAN
the many ways that MSMS rallies for you.
WORKPLACES
Learn more about the benefits of MSMS
Through its Future of Medicine wellness initiatives, membership at www.msms.org/membercenter.
10 JANUARY 2010 The GCMS Bulletin Sponsored by Emergency Medical Centre of Flint
2009 Presidents’ Ball
The GCMS Bulletin Sponsored by Emergency Medical Centre of Flint
EYE ON THE
FUTURE
GCMS/GCMSA Fetes Outgoing
President John Waters, MD
If you weren't at the Presidents' Ball you missed the premiere social
event of the year. The room was spectacular. The food was delicious. The
speeches were short. The music was loud. The dancing was fun. The theme
of the Presidents' Ball was “Eye on the Future.” The colors were bright
white and silver. Star Trek videos were on the big screen Star Wars and Star
Trek music introduced different stages of the event, and even the waiters and waitresses got into it with their
coordinated robotic movements.
The room was filled with well dressed men and radiant women who enjoyed themselves in a wonderful way. The
event is sponsored by: Genesys Regional Medical Center, Hurley Medical Center, McLaren Regional Medical Center,
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan/Blue Care Network, American Physicians Assurance, Diagnostic Radiology,
HealthPlus of Michigan, MSMS Physicians Insurance Agency, Rama Rao, MD, Suresh Anné, MD, Wells Fargo,
Complete Eye Care, McLaren Health Plan, Medical Protective, ProAssurance, Citizens Bank, Hometown Home
Health & Hospice, and Quest Diagnostics. With donations from: Raymond Rudoni, MD, Dr. & Mrs. Robert
Soderstrom, Dr. Allen F. Turcke, Your
AMA Delegation: Cathy O. Blight,
MD, Pino Colone, MD, Nita Kulkarni,
MD, AppaRao Mukkamala, MD, S.
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, Venu
Vadlamudi, MD. The event was even
visited by the GCMS members of the
AMA Delegation who were in
attendance at the AMA interim meeting,
via video featuring several Star Wars
characters and a terrified delegation
leader Dr. Cathy Blight. The evening
also featured the transition from the
presidency of Dr. John Waters to the
presidency of Dr. Venkat Rao. Both
expressed thanks to the membership for
their actions to block the physician tax,
as well as, their support for key issues
over the past and coming year.
The Presidents' Ball is no longer an
event to miss. The 2010 Ball will take
place on October 30, 2010.
JANUARY 2010
11