Summer 2003 - Chicago Medical Society

MEMBERSHIP IS NO LONGER AN ALTERNATIVE—IT’S AN IMPERATIVE!Please help recruit your colleaguesAs a CMS member you are aware of the value of organized medicine. You cansupport your profession by asking this question of every physician you speakwith:• ARE YOU A MEMBER of the Chicago Medical Society?Don’t be shy about asking physicians to join. You, our members, are the best sourceof reaching out to colleagues. It will take several attempts to persuade them. Butsince the events of September 11, there appears to be a growing interest in being connected…injoining.• Explain that you joined CMS BECAUSE physicians need a unified voice.Membership is an investment—both in the future of physicians and in organizedmedicine. Membership allows physicians to take advantage of the numerous leadership,networking and advocacy opportunities the Society has to offer.What has organized medicine done for me lately?• Passed Fairness in Contracting legislationto simplify managed care contracts.• Continues to seek higher reimbursementfrom Medicaid and Medicare.• Supports meaningful tort reform.• Supports a Patients’ Bill of Rights.• Provides a voice for physicians.• Sponsors educational programs forphysicians and office staff.• Blocked a plan to charge $1 perMedicare claim filed.While some argue that specialty societies are the answer, many physicians tell usthat specialty societies cannot meet all a physician’s needs.Here’s what CMS/ISMS bring you:• Legislative Advocacy• Physician Practice Advocate• Professional Liability/Health Insurance• Collective Bargaining• Service Bureau Programs/Discounts• Practice Management Courses• Continuing Medical Education• Community Outreach• Practice AdvocacyWhen physicians do not join medicine, it weakens the voice of medicine.Encourage your colleagues to join CMS and ISMS today.Chicago MedicineSummer 200359