MSV Update

MSV White Coats on Call

By Mark Romness, MD
AAOS Board of Councilors Representative
University of Virginia Health Systems
Charlottesville, Virginia

As the VOS delegate for the MSV White Coats on Call lobby day, held January 30, 2019, I toured Commonwealth representatives' offices with other physicians including anesthesiologists, general practitioners and an opthamologist. There was quite a crowd present that day, but each representative was very welcoming and seemed open to our issues. I met with Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate David Toscano, who are my representatives, as well as others from Arlington and Fluvanna.

The main issues were about out of network balance billing, step therapy and Medicaid reimbursement. COPN was not the focus of the agenda this year; however there was some discussion of this in the offices.

Seeing the bills we discussed making progress into law since the White Coats on Call day has been exciting. The process is slow, but with direct discussions with the legislators, they seem to understand that doctors really are working in the best interest of their patients – not the best interest of their pay checks.