APMA News - September 2013 - (Page 30)

Oregon Podiatrists Achieve Physician Status W efforts contributed to OPMA obtaining physician status for hen Oregon Podiatric Medical Association Oregon podiatrists. (OPMA) President Tom Melillo, DPM, and the association’s lobbyist Tom Barrows met with the Another milestone that ultimately led to the physician defiOregon Medical Association (OMA) before the 2013 legislanition change occurred when Lisa Cornelius, DPM, was aptive session, they came ready for a battle. What they got, after pointed to the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Corneyears of opposition, was support that led to an amended Orlius was the first podiatrist to sit on the board. Prior to her egon Medical Practice Act that changed the definition of appointment by the governor, Dr. Cornelius and a few other “physician” to include podiatrists along with MDs and DOs. podiatrists sat on a legislative advisory committee to the board The legislation passed unanimously in the 2013 Legislative for three years, handling only podiatry-specific health-care isSession and was signed into law by the governor in May. sues. The committee dissolved when Dr. Cornelius was apThis legislation also changes the definition of “retired physipointed to the board. “The compromise was that a podiatrist cian” to include retired podiatrists for the purpose of volunteer could be appointed to the board, but we were only allowed service immunity, among other protections that previously were voting rights on issues pertaining directly to podiatry,” said Dr. only granted to MDs and DOs. Cornelius. After several years However, it does not expand or on the board and gaining the Despite its small size (the permit practice outside of the respect of her colleagues, Dr. podiatric scope of practice. Cornelius was appointed as association has no professional APMA’s Center for Professional vice chair and then chair of full-time staff), OPMA has, over Advocacy (CPA) worked with the medical board “The interesting thing is, OPMA leadership in developtime, accomplished much in Dr. Cornelius wasn’t there ing the legislation and reviewed the way of APMA’s goals representing podiatry,” said several draft bills. In 2003 and 2005, OPMA Dr. Melillo. “She was a podiafor all podiatrists to achieve proposed similar bills but trist serving the public on the parity with MDs and DOs. failed, having been opposed board. But, the fact that she by the OMA and the Oregon was able to participate in conBoard of Medical Examiners. (In Oregon, podiatrists are reguversations the MDs and DOs were having, even though they lated by the Board of Medical Examiners; there is no separate had nothing to do with the foot and ankle, proved to the podiatric medical board.) What changed in 2013 to make this board that a podiatrist is qualified to discuss health-care at success possible? the same level as an MD and DO.” Dr. Melillo credited much of the bill’s success to OPMA Despite its small size (the association has no professional members’ commitment to building relationships with referfull-time staff), OPMA has, over time, accomplished much in ring MDs and DOs. He also noted the association’s diligence the way of APMA’s goals for all podiatrists to achieve parity in working with the OMA and Oregon Board of Medical Exwith MDs and DOs. One of the five objectives of Vision 2015 aminers over the years to educate them about podiatrists’ edis to obtain state and federal government recognition that poucation and training—and thereby prove podiatrists deserve diatrists are physicians. This objective requires revising state fair and equitable recognition as physicians within their practice acts to create uniformity in scope of practice and descope of practice. fining doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians within the Barrows also specified in early talks with OMA that the practice acts for podiatrists. physician definition change was not an attempt by podiatrists “This is not just the work of one person,” Dr. Mozena said. to advertise for work outside the legally established scope of “This is an example of the entire state coming together and practice for podiatrists in Oregon. proving that we deserve physician status.” “As OPMA will attest, the change in definition did not APMA President Matthew Garoufalis, DPM, added, “APMA occur overnight,” said APMA Center for Professional Advocacommends OPMA for this success. OPMA has proven that cy and State Advocacy Associate Director Chad Appel, JD. when podiatrists work together, we can achieve the goals of “OPMA’s legislative committee set a goal and worked diliVision 2015.” gently to accomplish it by developing relationships with the Want to learn more about how APMA’s Center for Profesmedical society and state legislators.” OPMA Legislative Chair sional Advocacy can help your state accomplish its legislative John Mozena, DPM, Barrows, and Dr. Melillo, along with goals? The CPA focuses on scope of practice, public and private other members of OPMA leadership, worked with their OMA insurance, and hospital and private health-care systems. Visit counterparts over the years and were able to develop trust in www.apma.org/cpa to access the many resources that will help each other. Those early and consistent relationship-building your state succeed, or contact Appel at clappel@apma.org. n 30 APMA News September 2013 http://www.apma.org/cpa

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - September 2013

APMA News - September 2013
President’s Message
Contents
What Happens in Vegas: The 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Humanitarian Surgical Missions: A Different Kind of Residency Training
Collaboration is Key at Limb Salvage Clinic
Center for Professional Advocacy Reviews Recent California Medicaid Lawsuit
Oregon Podiatrists Achieve Physician Status
Letters to the Editor: Solving Our Residency Crisis; Remembering Our Heroes
Resolutions Submission Deadlines
Reimbursement
ICD-10: How to Code for Painful Hammer Toes
Federal Advocacy Forum
Cosponsors to the Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
Coverage Corner
Bylaws Propositions Due
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
On the Road with APMA
Small Business 101
CPME Update
In Short
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - September 2013