Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Fall 2017 - 6

President's message

M
Gregory T. Wilson, D.O.
President

ore than ever, as most physicians are
aware, the rules that govern healthcare
are designed and implemented by those
who do not practice medicine or treat patients.
That is not to say that health laws and regulations
are not well-intentioned, but many providers
feel an increasing disconnect with law-makers
and their bills at the state and national level.
Unfortunately, frustration has in many cases
lead to a sense of helplessness by physicians and
healthcare providers who may see no choice but
to simply accept the mandates that are assigned to
them from Harrisburg or Washington. Certainly,
many providers agree that legislators and
physicians need to work in collaboration, but for
the non-politician, the world of public policy is
often viewed as a vast, complex quagmire, fraught
with legal intricacies and partisan agenda. Even
if interested in working for healthcare change,
where would a Berks County physician begin?
Fortunately, beginning in September 2017, there
may be a first step in addressing this question
right in our own backyard.
I am very pleased to announce that the Berks
County Medical Society has partnered with
the Political Science Department at Kutztown
University to offer a course designed to improve
physician understanding of the political
process, particularly in healthcare, and offer an
opportunity for our providers to interact directly
with several regional legislators. This program,
titled the Physician Advocacy Academy, scheduled
to begin Friday, September 15, will comprise
seven, one-hour presentations from Kutztown

6

|

www.berkscms.org

faculty and local politicians. In addition,
participants will receive up to 7 CME credits for
the course. Although space for this initial course
is limited, we hope to offer similar programs in
the future so that all interested providers can
attend.
Since 1824, the Berks County Medical
Society (BCMS) has worked to promote
physician advocacy in many arenas; however,
many Berks County providers many not be aware
of opportunities available to them. One of the
most important begins with BCMS membership.
Members of BCMS embody a valuable network
of fellow physicians to voice concerns, discuss
opportunities, and share ideas across a wide
spectrum of specialties. In addition, members
of BCMS travel annually to Hershey, PA to
meet medical society members from all counties
of Pennsylvania at the House of Delegates
convention. It is here that the concerns of our
local physicians are expressed at the state level.
Over the years, physicians have had to respond to
numerous challenges to our profession, including
Tort reform, Mcare fund misappropriation, and
budgetary cuts at the state and national level.
Needless to say, over the years, leadership of the
BCMS has been an important advocate for the
physicians of our county
Without question, we need physician
involvement in healthcare legislation, for the
benefit of our fellow providers and our patients.
If we don't speak to the regulations that affect our
colleagues and ultimately our patients, someone
else will. I am hopeful that opportunities such
as the Physician Advocacy Academy will provide
a first step for physicians in our community to
increase their familiarity and interaction with the
legislative process.
http://berkscms.org/
Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Fall 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Fall 2017
