Bucks Montgomery Physician Summer 2021 - 7

assessments that require timed questions, they will be
instituting a longitudinal assessment, where physicians
can move at their own pace, with any resources they
want, at home. This is a far cry from the 10 year high
stakes exam, where physicians needed to place all their
belongings in a locker. While the changes made have not
completely resolved the problem (removing the timed
component to questions would go a long way toward that
end), there has been progress made. That progress has
come from the repeated statements and efforts by the
Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) and physicians.
Change does not come easily or quickly, and it requires
physicians to express outrage over and over repeatedly.
Another example is venue where a committee of the
Supreme Court planned to revert the ruling on venue back
to pre-2002. This was vigorously opposed and has been
put on hold due to aggressive lobbying. Another example
of success includes scope of practice, where PAMED
has so far been able to delay the state from instituting
unsupervised practice for those without a medical
degree, medical license, or medical training. We must also
remember the successful lawsuit regarding monies that
were taken from the Mcare Fund a number of years ago.
These things do not just happen. It takes repeated effort by
physicians, lobbyists, and the public to educate those who
make the rules about the potential ramifications of their
decisions, and there is so much more to do, with Pharmacy
Benefit Managers (PBMs), surprise billing, Maintenance
of Certification (MOC), prior authorization, etc. The task
is daunting and does seem insurmountable. Why bother?
A famous quote attributed to both Wayne Gretzky
and Michael Jordan says, " You miss 100% of the shots
you don't take. " That applies here. It may not be easy,
but without doing so, there is zero percent chance of
effecting change. We will continue to suffer from the
effects of those who are destroying health care for their
own gain. When I die, I would rather say that I went up
to bat and struck out against difficult odds, than that I
did not have the courage or the will to even get into the
batter's cage. I will not let them win without even trying.
Our patients rely on us not just for their individual care,
but also to ensure a system of health care exists that
serves and protects them. That requires us to do more
than just order the right tests or prescribe the right
medicine. It requires us to be brave and persistent and
to speak out. It requires us to be informed. It requires us
to act when organized medicine, like PAMED, presents
action items. It requires us to educate legislators, one at a
time, as to the issues that compromise patient care. If we
cannot do any of these things, then we cannot say that
we have acted in our patients' best interests collectively.
PAMED can lead, PAMED can direct, but it takes
an army to be heard. I carry my soapbox with me
at all times. There is plenty of room on it for you
to join me and PAMED, unless of course you are
happy with our current health care structure and the
ways that it adversely affects us and our patients.
If you are not sure what you can do, or how to do it,
PAMED can help. Contact us at Knowledgecenter@
pamedsoc.org or visit our website at www.pamedsoc.
org. If you would value a conversation with Dr. Lopatin
directly, please reach PAMED to be connected.
After all, this is our profession. These are our
patients. Let's fight for them. Our profession
depends on it. Our patients depend on us.
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BUCKS AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES 5
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Bucks Montgomery Physician Summer 2021

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