With the elections mercifully behind us, we can now turn our attention to new year membership matters and advocacy in the 2017 Missouri legislative session. Let’s start by making sure that all members have paid their 2017 dues and that all members of your group belong to the Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA). To all non-members, I extend a sincere invitation to join on behalf of the leadership and members of MSMA. Do come aboard!
MSMA is widely acknowledged as one of the top five most effective state medical associations. MSMA dues are among the lowest in the nation. MSMA staff is highly competent, dedicated, and responsive. Physicians of all stripes need to be MSMA members. Private practice physicians have been the traditional model for representation and advocacy. However, as times change MSMA changes and has become the leading advocate for medical education. All six state medical school deans belong to MSMA, and all six medical school faculty regularly contribute to Missouri Medicine. MSMA and its Alliance have granted over $771,000 in medical school scholarships to medical students and loaned $11.8 million in medical student loans to physicians in training at low interest rates. Membership in MSMA is especially important to hospital-employed and agency/industry-employed physicians. The younger a physician and the longer she/he will be practicing, the more important it is to have an advocate for employed physicians.
MSMA membership is heavily discounted for medical students and residents/fellows. Non-members should contact Director of Membership Haley Wansing (hwansing@msma.org) or Cassie Williams (cwilliams@msma.org) to join MSMA or learn more of the many benefits of membership.
Our MSMA lobbyists Jeff Howell and Kenny Jackson are widely respected by legislators on both sides of the political aisle. Both did the heavy lifting that, for the second time, got tort reform into law in Missouri. Be sure to read Kenny Jackson’s Legislative Preview to learn the vital issues that will be in play this legislative session. Legislators highly respect physicians, especially those from their own districts. Contact MSMA and arrange a day to come to Jefferson City and be “Physician of the Day.” Or just come, even on short notice, to roam the halls and offices advocating for medical issues and fair reimbursement. We need something besides trial lawyer and insurance company lobbyists visiting Missouri’s Senators and Representatives. Kenny Jackson (kjackson@msma.org) can furnish details and make arrangements or visit www.msma.org/advocacy.
Finally, I issue my annual challenge to MSMA officers, Council Members, Committee Chairs, and MMPAC Board. Set a good example by donating your time and your money. Recruit new members. Make an off-election year contribution of $500 to MMPAC to replenish its funds; donate another $500 to Missouri Physicians’ Health Foundation. Lead from the front. Set a good example for all our MSMA members.
A special thank you to our Missouri physician legislators: Senator Rob Schaaf, MD, Senator Bob Onder, MD, Representative Keith Frederick, DO, and Representative Jim Neely, DO. The sacrifices they make while maintaining their practices and representing their constituents and all physicians are extraordinary. The good they do is incalculable. Many thanks.
Biography
John C. Hagan, III, MD, FACS, is a Kansas City, Mo., ophthalmologist and Missouri Medicine Editor since 2000. He is a multi-year Super Diamond Contributor to MMPAC.
Contact: jhagan@bizkc.rr.com
