 |
Legislative News |
VOS Visits the General Assembly
Early
in January
By Cal Whitehead
VOS Lobbyist
The Virginia Orthopaedic Society (VOS) held its annual winter board meeting in Richmond on January 20 in conjunction with Medical Society of Virboard members hosted a dinner with new state Senators, Siobhan Dunnavant, MD (R-Henrico) and Bill DeSteph (R-Virginia Beach). The next day, VOS officers were briefed by lobbyists at the MSV breakfast and then visited their Delegates and Senators who are in town for the 60-day legislative session.
The priority issues were significant and numerous this year. The Society was a leading advocate for Certificate of Public Need (COPN) reform. There are several bills that would relax the expensive process for ambulatory surgery facilities, imaging, and other services. VOS supports the workers' compensation medical cost compromise legislation sponsored by Delegate Peter Farrell (R-Henrico/Goochland) and Senator Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach). These bills are the product of seven years of battle and negotiation with insurers and employers about payments for workers' comp care. They will establish a unique fee schedule that avoids deep cuts, provides for inflation raises, and is not tied to Medicare. VOS opposes bills that would allow nurse practitioners to practice independent of supervising physicians.
The General Assembly adjourns March 12, so there is still some time to visit or contact your legislators about bills important to you and your patients. Enter your home address to access your Delegate and Senator at “Who’s My Legislator?”
http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
Please contact VOS lobbyist Cal Whitehead at cal@commonwealthstrategy.net if you need assistance or have questions about specific legislation.
_________________
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 fostering a better environment for orthopaedic medical care delivery. Make a contribution here today: https://secure.societyhq.com/vos/OrthoPAC.iphtml
_________________
