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Legislative News |
Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia Leads Advocacy Efforts
By Ralston King, MD
The Virginia Orthopaedic Society would like to recognize the Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia (OCCVA) for its advocacy efforts in healthcare. On October 10, 2012 in Lynchburg, OCCVA hosted a roundtable discussion and reception with U.S. Senate Candidate, former Governor George Allen. Virginia General Assembly members; Delegate Scott Garrett, MD (Lynchburg), Delegate Kathy Byron (Lynchburg) and Senator Tom Garrett (Hadensville) were also in attendance. Governor Allen was welcomed by the OCCVA physicians and staff to a candid discussion about the issues in today's complex healthcare system as well as the struggles small businesses face on a day-to-day basis. OCCVA physicians and staff discussed; reimbursement methods that restrict access, overregulation, tort reform, and ways to improve quality. Endeavors like these give Virginia's Orthopaedic Surgeons a stronger voice at the state and federal level.
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Team Docs: How Virginia Treats Visiting Team Physicians and Trainers
By Cal Whitehead
Many VOS members serve as team physicians for Virginia high school, college and university, club, and professional sports teams. This summer, former VOS President David Diduch, the Head UVA team physician, asked about the laws governing physicians and other health professionals who travel with teams to Virginia. Dr. Diduch is assisting the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine with a national survey on these laws.
The Code of Virginia has provisions to allow out-of-state practitioners to practice their profession when traveling with an athletic team or individual athlete. The visiting team doctor or health professional (i.e. athletic trainers) must be in good standing with the appropriate regulatory agency of their home jurisdiction. The law specifies that it must be temporary and the professional must only practice during the game, tournament, or event. The provision is part of the Board of Medicine “Exceptions and Exemptions” and can be found here: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?000+cod+54.1-2901
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Please Support ORTHO-PAC!
YOUR Political Voice
Please make your annual investment in professional advocacy with a contribution to ORTHO-PAC. Donations to our political action committee allow us to support candidates and incumbents who share our ideas for to foster a better environment for orthopaedic medical care delivery. Make a contribution here today: https://secure.societyhq.com/vos/OrthoPAC.iphtml
Thanks to these supporters!
Chad Aarons
Blake Beach
Hugh Bryan
Peter Caprise
Bobby Chhabra
Quanjun (Trey) Cui
Gregory Domson
H. C. Eschenroeder, Jr.
Wilford Gibson
Gabriel Gluck
Eric Guidi
Jonathan Isaacs
Steven Jones
William MacCarty III
Stuart Mackler
John Mann
Charles McDowell
Thomas Miller
Daniel Mirenda
Ryan Miyamoto
Frank Pettrone
David Romness
Mark Romness
Brenda Scanelli
Andrew Wolff
Joseph Wombwell
Wilhelm Zuelzer
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Save the Date! January 31, 2013
VOS “White Coats on Call” Day on the Hill
Please make plans to join your fellow orthopaedic surgeons for our first “White Coats on Call” Day at the Virginia General Assembly on January 31, 2013. This opportunity to visit your Delegates and Senators at the Capitol during the legislative session is coordinated with the Medical Society of Virginia's successful “White Coats on Call” grassroots advocacy program. Your participation will be a rewarding and eye-opening experience.
The day will begin with an issue briefing from our lobbyists and light breakfast with orthopaedists and other physicians. Participants will then visit with their Delegate and Senator and observe committee meeting business. At mid-day, the “White Coats” can view the daily session from the Gallery in the Capitol where they will be recognized by the House and Senate. That afternoon VOS will have a Board meeting followed by a reception and dinner with key legislators. All VOS participants are invited to attend any or all portions of the program.
Please put the 2013 VOS “White Coats on Call” Day on the Hill on your schedule and stay tuned for additional details. Questions can be directed to VOS lobbyists Cal Whitehead (cwhitehead@whiteheadconsulting.net) or Ralston King (rking@whiteheadconsulting.net).
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