February 5, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE

Editor's Column: Our Body - The Universe Within
 HHS Secretary Praises 'Future Of Medicine'
Feds, State Work On Health Care Reform
Thinking About Retirement?
Chinese New Year Is Just Around The Corner
Support GME Funding; Meet With Lawmakers
MSMS Accepting BOM Nominations
Dr. Shade Elected To BOM
Dr. Mariona Receives March Of Dimes Honor
 

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Editor's Column:
Our Body - The Universe Within

By JOSEPH WEISS, MD
Every doctor in Michigan should be made aware of the unique exhibit now going on at the Detroit Science Center. OUR BODY –The Universe Within is more than a sensational show like artifacts from King Tut’s tomb or memorabilia from the Titanic. OUR BODY gives a richer look at the human body than the public has ever seen before. The exhibit not only demonstrates the details of the body’s machinery, but evokes a sense of awe at the unity within us. 

For doctors, the exhibit holds an additional dimension. The presentation of anatomy is more clear and lifelike than any of us have ever experienced. You can walk around the human body and see it from the front, side, rear and any angle in between. Individual dissections show the complete bone and joint, musculoskeletal, vascular and neurological systems alone and in combination with the other body systems. The views are matchless, not equaled by imaging that video, MRI or a body dissection can provide. Any physician, no matter how experienced in anatomy, will gain from seeing both the detail and the postures of the human body this exhibit presents.

A practical point: take a laser pointer, as you may want to trace out the details of muscle insertions, blood vessel distributions, the pathway of individual nerves, and the relationship of structures in the neck. The pointer also makes it easier for family and friends with you to share in what you see. Also, bring a pocket flashlight as some of the exhibits behind glass are insufficiently lighted. 

No physician should fail to see OUR BODIES-The Universe Within. The exhibition speaks to the dignity of the body and reveals the wonder within the cosmic sense of creation.

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HHS Secretary Praises 'Future Of Medicine'

In his remarks on January 29 at a Detroit Economic Club luncheon, US Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt complimented the MSMS "Future of Medicine" initiative to bring key stakeholders together to improve Michigan's health care system on a number of fronts. The audience included more than 1,000 health, government and business leaders, as well as the media.

The following MSMS member physicians were in attendance: Sophie J. Womack, MD, a Wayne County pediatrician; MSMS Board Member John E. Billi, MD, a Washtenaw County internist; MSMS Board Vice Chair Gregory J. Forzley, MD, a Kent County family physician; Richard S. Frank, MD, an Oakland County anesthesiologist; Steven D. Grant, MD, an Oakland County internist; MPRO Executive Director Debra L. Moss, MD, an Oakland County pediatrician; Thomas L. Simmer, MD, senior vice president and medical director, BCBSM, and a Washtenaw County internist; and Douglas R. Woll, MD, an Oakland County internist.

According to Dr. Forzley, Secretary Leavitt discussed the "Future of Medicine" initiative in the context of the broader health care goals of the Bush Administration. "It was encouraging that he did acknowledge MSMS's efforts and ability to bring together different groups to address the problems of health care," said Doctor Forzley.

Comments from some other physicians in attendance:

"Some of the important topics the secretary discussed were information technology and developing a product that would give us the ability to link things together, and stated that we needed one product that was interoperable. Also, he stated that health care was not managed as a system, and that undoubtedly is a part of the problem of health care." - Wayne County Medical Society President-elect Sophie J. Womack, MD, a Wayne County pediatrician and President-Elect of WCMSSM

"Collaboration , electronic medical records, technology , quality and transparencey are all key elements of the MSMS future of medicine report. the Secretary, GM's Rick Wagoner and Henry Ford Health System's Nancy Schlichting all strongly emphasized the importance of this approach in solving America's demand for an improved health care delivery system. the iniative and leadership of the MSMS on these matters was clearly demonstrated.

"We must, however, not be overly reliant on EMR as the panacea for rising cost of care. This is no quick fix! What was not address adequately was the emerging need for a primary care physicians -- the impending physician shortage," - Richard E. Smith, MD, a Wayne County OB/GYN

"It is easy to support Secretary Leavitt's call for more transparency, electronic connectivity, and standardization. The expected impact of his program on the fundamental issues of cost, quality and access remain to be worked out. Secretary Leavitt gave due credit to the efforts of GDAHC [Greater Detroit Health Council], and recognized that national solutions must empower local efforts if they are to succeed." -Thomas L. Simmer, MD, senior vice president and medical director, BCBSM, and a Washtenaw County internist

"The primary message I took home from that meeting was the federal government's acknowledgement that the 'system' was not working and their belief and commitment that things needed to improve, and would improve rapidly within the next 5-10 years." –Douglas R. Woll, MD, an Oakland County internist

For more information about federal advocacy, contact MSMS Executive Director Kevin A. Kelly at MSMS at (517) 336-5742 or kkelly@msms.org.

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Feds, State Work On Health Care Reform

Gov. Jennifer Granholm and US Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said they are getting closer to an agreement on the governor's $1 billion proposal to expand health coverage to the state's 550,000 uninsured residents, reported the Detroit News.

But it remains uncertain how much of the cost will be borne by state and federal governments, respectively on the governor's Michigan First Healthcare Plan.

Leavitt, during his Jan. 29 Detroit visit said he likes the plan's reliance on a public-private partnership. He said it contains similar strategies to those employed President Bush's Affordable Choices Initiative.

The plan, announced in Bush's State of the Union speech, would give a federal income tax credit to those who must buy their own health insurance.

Congressional leaders have been strongly critical of the Bush plan, reported the News. The plan would include a tax on health benefits of workers whose employers provide them with above-average coverage.

The state already is struggling to meet its burgeoning cost of Medicaid coverage for the poor, already above $7 billion.

While these negotiations continue, Michigan struggles to meet exploding costs for Medicaid services that already top $7 billion. State officials want the federal government to count $400 million already being spent on health programs for the uninsured as the state's share of the billion-dollar program, according to the News. Their goal has been to launch it by April.

Those below the poverty guideline of about $20,000 for a family of four would pay for a small portion of their health care costs. Those with incomes from the poverty guideline up to twice the guideline would pay a portion of their care costs and monthly premiums. The premiums would not exceed 5 percent of their income.  

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Thinking About Retirement?

Thinking about Retirement?  Don’t Miss this Great Planning Opportunity

If you’re thinking about retiring – or if you are retired already – then you won’t want to miss the MSMS Symposium on Retirement Planning, scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing.  The program will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a 4:30 p.m. registration. 

Developed for physicians, office managers and spouses who are beginning to plan for retirement, are in the process of retiring, or have recently retired, this four-hour dinner program will provide the tools and resources needed to make a smooth transition into retirement.  Experts from related fields will provide a wide range of practical information designed to help attendees navigate through the personal, professional and financial aspects of retirement. The program will include presentations on the following topics:

·         Planning for Retirement – Sandy Lutkenhoff, SmithBarney Citigroup

·         The Legal Implications of Practicing After Retirement – Daniel J. Schulte, JD, Kerr, Russell and Weber, PLC

·         Closing Your Practice – Julia Lowe, CPC, Director of the Health Care Services Division, Yeo & Yeo CPAs and Business Consultants

·         Continuing Insurance Benefits into Retirement – MSMS Physicians Insurance Agency

·         Your Retirement Readiness: The Emotional Preparations – Sally Pitt-VanBuren, New Directions Coaching & Marie T. Stoline, RN, CM-C, Gerontology Nursing Services

Fees are $110 for MSMS & MMGMA members, $150 for non-members, and $60 for spouses or office managers attending with a physician.  To register, visit www.msms.org/events or contact the MSMS Registrar at 517-336-5784 or abatten@msms.org.

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Chinese New Year Is Just Around The Corner

WCMS FOUNDATION'S
ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR

YEAR OF THE PIG

GOLDEN HARVEST RESTAURANT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007, 5:30 PM

HONOREES FOR OUTSTANDING
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY:

DR. KIM AND MRS. MADO LIE

EVENT CO-CHAIRPERSONS
LOURDES ANDAYA, MD ROSEMARY BANNON
JANET BUSH DON JENSEN

GREAT FOOD CASUAL ATTIRE CASH BAR
**FABULOUS SILENT AUCTION**

MAKE THIS A FUN EVENING FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FLYER AND REGISTRATION FORM.

THE WAYNE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION IS SPONSORING
THIS EVENT AS A FUNDRAISER FOR ITS SENIOR ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.

 

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Support GME Funding; Meet With Lawmakers

Now that the state legislature has begun its new session, it is time to get to know new legislators and ramp up our efforts to drive the 2007 MSMS Legislative Agenda ( www.msms.org/legagenda ). Here are three opportunities to do so:

--Graduate Medical Education (GME) Advocacy Day: Wednesday, February 21, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center in downtown Lansing The Partnership for Michigan's Health--MSMS, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), and the Michigan Osteopathic Association--will sponsor this event, which is designed to urge lawmakers preserve access to care by protecting GME funding in the state's health care budget. For more information or to register, visit www.msms.org/advocacy. Or contact Rebecca Blake at MSMS (517) 336-5729 or rblake@msms.org.

--New Lawmaker Reception: Wednesday, February 28, 5-7 p.m., at MSMS headquarters in East Lansing MSMS and nearly 20 specialty societies invite physicians, their spouses, and medical group managers to this event to build early relationships with members of the Michigan Legislature and to make MSMS available as a resource to new lawmakers as they begin their first legislative session. For more information about the reception, visit www.msms.org. To RSVP, contact Anne Lavender at (517) 336-5736 or alavender@msms.org.

--"Doctor of the Day" program: can be scheduled on any legislative session day (Tuesday-Thursday) MSMS and the Michigan Doctors' Political Action Committee encourage physicians, their spouses, medical students, and medical group managers to sign up for a "Doctor of the Day" visit, which fosters direct advocacy and relationship building with their own lawmakers. For more information, visit www.msms.org/advocacy. To schedule a convenient date, contact Joshua Richmond at (517) 336-5788 or jrichmond@msms.org.

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MSMS Accepting BOM Nominations

The MSMS Committee on Licensure & Discipline has begun the process of soliciting candidates who wish to receive the recommendation of MSMS for appointment to the Michigan Board of Medicine. On Dec. 31, 2007, the terms of five Board of Medicine members will expire. Of those five, four are eligible to be reappointed to a second four-year term. One position will be vacant and require an appointment by the governor. The Committee considers many key factors (peer review experience, board certification, and involvement in organized medicine) when selectin g a candidate it believes to be qualified to serve in this capacity. The Committee will begin accepting candidates this month and will continue to do so through the end of April so that the recommendations may be brought to the July MSMS Board of Directors meeting for final approval.

For more information or to obtain a nomination application, visit www.msms.org/advocacy. Or contact Colin Ford at MSMS at (517) 336-5737 or cford@msms.org.

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Dr. Shade Elected To BOM

George Shade, MD, was recently elected Vice-Chair of the Michigan Board of Medicine. Dr. Shade is Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief of OB GYN at Sinai Grace Hospital in the Detroit Medical Center and Associate Professor with the Department of OB/GYN, WSU School of Medicine and MSU College of Medicine.

He was named one of the Detroit Area’s “Top Docs” for the last two years in Hour Detroit Magazine and the Metropolitan Executive and Professional Registry.

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Dr. Mariona Receives March Of Dimes Honor

WCMSSM Immediate-Past President Federico Mariona, MD, received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the March of Dimes at the March of Dimes Volunteer Awards Ceremony in December 2006.

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