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Established 1878
AUGUST 2022
WHAT’S INSIDE
2 JOHN NOBLE, JR., MD – PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH 5 2022 LSMS LEADERSHIP 6 MEET THE DEAN: L. LEE HAMM, MD, DEAN AT TULANE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 6 THANK YOU 7 PEER TO PEER SURVEY 8 WE NEED YOUR HELP!
8 ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR RENEWALS! 9 ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS 10 PHYSICIANS FACE YET ANOTHER FINANCIAL STORM 12 THE HOUSE APPROVED THE FOLLOWING NEW POLICIES 13 CENTURY CLUB SPOTLIGHT 14 OUR PARTNERS
2022 LSMS LEADERSHIP During the 2022 LSMS Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates, new leadership was selected and new Society policies adopted.
JOHN NOBLE, JR., MD – PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH
On Saturday, August 6, 2022, the Louisiana State Medical Society installed Dr. John Noble as the 142 nd president of the organization.
Dr. Noble is originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has 25 years of private practice experience. He joined the Center for Orthopaedics in 2000. He earned an undergraduate degree at McNeese State University and his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans. Dr. Noble completed an Orthopaedic Residency at LSU Medical Center, also in New Orleans, and a Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Noble is actively involved in orthopaedic research projects involving hip and knee replacement. He is involved in patient and physician advocacy and has served in multiple leadership roles at the state and regional level throughout his career. Dr. Noble’s practice is now focused exclusively on sports medicine and joint replacement.
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Dr. Noble gave the following address before the 2022 House of Delegates in Baton Rouge.
and market their value; otherwise, they risk their existence. Education really does matter!
“Winston Churchill was known for his spry humor and his many quotes. Regarding speeches he said that a good speech should be like a woman’s skirt: long enough to cover the topic and short enough to create interest. I will try to adhere to those principals today. In a similar way, Heraclitus was a Greek philosopher who lived about 500 years before the birth of Christ. Two quotes attributed to him are as relevant today as they were then. He stated, “There is nothing permanent except change,” This medical society was established in 1878. It would not be inaccurate to suggest that we have seen dramatic changes in our 144 years of existence. In what was known as the Golden Era of Medicine, we witnessed the invention of antibiotics and vaccines. We saved millions upon millions of lives for a relatively minimal investment. Years ago, patients were admitted to the hospital for weeks for relatively simple surgeries. Today, we can perform heart valve replacement and joint replacement as outpatient procedures-amazing technological advances that have dramatically changed people’s lives. But we now spend billions of dollars yearly on medications with questionable and marginal benefits. Many research projects conducted today are repetitious and of dubious value. Evidence-based guidelines are currently utilized and touted by so-called experts as a way to ration care by subverting the physician’s judgment, education, and intuition. We have seen significant expansions in the scope of practice of non-physicians under the guise of improving access to rural healthcare and the fallacy of cost reduction. Our senior citizens and the physicians that treat them are locked into an anti-free market system called Medicare that fixes the fee schedule. Regretfully, even France has a better payment system more aligned with capitalism and the free market. Our reimbursement is dictated by insurance companies that have monopsonies across the country. The profession we love and honor is attacked daily by state legislatures around the country. Even in the halls of Congress, we see bills threatening physicians’ livelihood. The greatest threat to our profession is legislation passed in state capitals around the country that permits the independent practice of medicine by unqualified providers. There is a stark difference in education between physicians and non-physicians. Some legislators have attempted to negate this argument, but we must never allow this fact to be circumvented or denied. The same medical schools educating our students must stand up for their mission
In many cases, we are learning that corporations and private equity groups initiate scope of practice battles to drive business to its stores solely for profit, often disregarding safety and best practices. They employ allied health professionals, pharmacists, and mid-level providers and shockingly offer no oversight. Harrison’s Textbook of Internal Medicine was the Bible of our profession for generations. Today the Excel spreadsheet is the guide for corporate healthcare. We should urge the Louisiana Department of Health and our State Board of Medical Examiners to look into these arrangements. Quite simply, this state should forbid the corporate practice of healthcare. In the mid-1970s, we expanded the physician team to include mid-level providers. This strategy works relatively well when deployed correctly. Most mid-level providers are happy to be part of a physician-led team. From a personal perspective, I am fortunate to work with mid-level providers who are an essential part of my team and provide excellent service to my patients. Recently we have seen various groups of practitioners attempt to practice medicine independently. Only a tiny minority, however, is lobbying for complete independence. In some cases today, we see mid-level providers practicing in a different field of medicine than their collaborating or supervising physician. The most absurd example I have seen is a cardiologist collaborating with a nurse practitioner who performs facial cosmetic injections. We now see mid-level providers advertising specialty services without reference to a supervising or collaborating physician. The collaborative practice agreement is broken and must be reformed. We must continue to improve the standards that govern these agreements. Admittedly, some of our colleagues who collaborate must also do better. We must call on our boards and agencies to resolve this impasse. Legislators are not qualified to determine who should be practicing medicine. I know this because they say so. I have also heard them say they would love to resolve this issue permanently so that collectively we can focus on matters crucial to our state. We must emulate other states that have been successful in resolving this issue. Once and for all, we must end the scope of practice battles in our state legislature. Most physicians didn’t go to medical school to fight political battles. Many of us feel it is undignified to be involved in the political process. However, this attitude and lack of interest
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and engagement have allowed many groups to chip away at privileges previously felt to be sacrosanct. We must be courageous and do everything in our power to fight the push to diminish the physician’s role as the team leader. Our opponents are outraising us and outspending us, particularly when adjusted for per capita earnings. Our members must engage in political dialogue and fundraising. We must never, ever give up the fight for patient safety. Our medical society has indeed changed, which is necessary and inevitable. In years past, we had the luxury of being an organization that could be all things to everyone. But over generations, we have seen the development of specialty societies that have sometimes fractured our unity. As with all organizations today, we struggle with limited resources. We can no longer be a social organization or one consumed by frivolous tasks and objectives. We must solely focus our attention on preserving our profession so that we may better care for patients and improve the quality of life for society. How can we provide the best care for our patients if we constantly look over our shoulders? There are many political sensibilities amongst physicians, particularly those of different generations. Some organizations spend time and resources on issues that don’t affect the day- to-day business of physicians. I prefer alignment with national and regional organizations that care less about climate change and more about economic fairness for the most educated of our society. Inflation has had a devastating impact on physician earnings over the years. We’ve seen our fees reduced dramatically when compared to inflation adjusted dollars over the last 40 years. Where are our national leaders? Why are they not yelling from the rooftops to fix this travesty? In the first few weeks of medical school, I had a professor who said something which has remained with me forever. He said, “You are here because you are the best society has to offer.” So to the physicians here today, I echo that you are the best society offers. By far and away, you are some of the most educated and dedicated people in our country. So, the best and brightest of society attend college, four years of medical school, and complete a three-year residency in primary care but might earn a lower starting salary than a community college graduate with a process technology degree. Why does this occur? It happens
because of soaring overhead and ridiculous reimbursement policies. This is not economic justice.
But behind every storm cloud is a silver lining. I have great hope and optimism for the future. Despite the problems we face today, there is no greater privilege than that of a healer. It is an incredible honor that patients trust us enough to treat them and to share their most personal secrets. They trust us enough to perform potentially life-threatening procedures on them. There is no greater sense of accomplishment than curing a life- threatening infection or a patient’s cancer. There is exhilaration when we fix a patient’s hip or open a clotted vessel. Heraclitus also said, “big results require big ambitions.” Our staff and our physician leaders have grand ambitions. We envision a modern medical society focused on growing its membership. We will do this by providing value-added services such as affordable health insurance and improved 401{k) plans for our members. We will foster an improved business environment for our colleagues. It is my desire for us to partner with new regional and national associations focused on improving business fundamentals to support the independent practice of medicine for those who desire to remain independent. Our executive director and staff have catalyzed the growth of the physician coalition. We will continue to grow this coalition and work collaboratively with specialty societies. There are many other initiatives underway, some too premature to announce, but suffice it to say that we will work very hard for our state’s physicians. It has been an absolute honor to address such a distinguished audience this afternoon. I want to thank the House of Delegates for selecting me as the next president of our esteemed organization. I am honored and humbled. I am fortunately the beneficiary of an excellent executive director and supporting staff. I would be remiss, however, if I failed to acknowledge my family for enduring my absences over the years. Of course, this is not unique to me and is something virtually all physician families go through. My wife has tolerated my overflowing schedule for 27 years. This sacrifice has allowed my practice to flourish, allowing me to help many patients along the way and has allowed me to participate in such things as organized medicine.
May God bless all of you, and may God bless and protect our great profession.”
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2022 LSMS LEADERSHIP Board of Governors
JOHN NOBLE, JR., MD President
RICHARD J. PADDOCK, MD President-Elect
WILLIAM FREEMAN, MD Immediate Past President
THOMAS TRAWICK, MD Speaker
ROBERT NEWSOME, MD Vice Speaker
AMBERLY NUNEZ, MD Secretary-Treasurer
DAVID BROUSSARD, MD Chair, COL
SUSAN BANKSTON, MD Ex Officio, LAMPAC, Acting Chair
Board of Governors continued Matthew Giglia, MD Young Physician Member Omar Leonards, MD Resident/Fellow Member Shivani Jain Medical Student Member John Bruchhaus, MD Employed Physician Section Member Katherine Williams, MD Private Practice Physician Section Member
Board of Councilors Councilors Myra Kleinpeter, MD District One Luis Arencibia, MD District Two Allan Vander, MD District Three Richard Michael, MD District Four Gwenn Jackson, MD District Five Michael Roppolo, MD District Six Brian Gamborg, MD District Seven
Lance Templeton, MD District Eight Andy Blalock, MD District Nine Nicholas Viviano, MD District Ten AMA Delegation William Freeman, MD Delegate Luis Alvarado, MD Delegate George Ellis, MD Delegate Donald Posner, MD Delegate
Kamel Brakta, MD Alternate Delegate Caleb Natale, MD Alternate Delegate Daniel Harper, MD Member in Training
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The LSMS would like to formally thank the physician members of the Louisiana Patient’s Compensation Oversight Board (PCF) for their service and dedication. On July 7, 2022, the PCF Board met to discuss surcharges for 2023 and were presented a recommendation from their outside actuary to increase rates 14.5% across all classes of physicians and others. However, we are happy to report that the PCF Board voted for rates to remain unchanged for 2023. Given the current, near record inflation physicians are experiencing, along with staffing issues and costs, this decision saves physician members participating in the PCF anywhere from several hundred to a few thousand dollars over the next month. If you are not currently enrolled in the PCF, for whatever the reason(s), we highly suggest you reconsider that decision as the PCF is financially solvent, fiscally responsible, and all funds are managed outside of the state treasury, which means neither the legislature nor the administration can sweep them into another fund to cover any unrelated costs. ABOUT THE PATIENT’S COMPENSATION FUND The Patient’s Compensation Fund (PCF) is an off-budget unit of the state which is 100 percent self-funded and not pooled in the general fund. The Fund was created in 1975 to provide an affordable and guaranteed medical malpractice coverage system for the private healthcare providers in the state. It plays the role of an “excess insurer” of private healthcare providers. The law allows a provider to have financial responsibility for the first $100,000 of exposure per claim whether through insurance or security deposit and enroll in the Fund for the excess coverage and be under an umbrella of the cap on damages. Most health care providers are enrolled in the PCF and pay surcharges for the coverage and protection provided. The PCF provides protection for the healthcare system, keeping costs down, and providing a guaranteed pool of funds to pay those citizens injured from medical malpractice of private health care providers.
MEET THE DEAN: L. Lee Hamm, MD, Dean at Tulane University School of Medicine
Dr. L. Lee Hamm trained as a resident and nephrology fellow at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, then assumed a faculty appointment at Washington University before joining Tulane. An Alabama native, he is proud to call Louisiana and the city of New Orleans home for thirty years. Now, as the Senior Vice President & Dean of the School of Medicine for the past 9 years, he is passionate about creating an environment that enables the Tulane Medicine community to continue the mission of a university that was founded as a medical school to combat a series of public health pandemics. This centers around the long standing phrase “Discover, Learn, Heal”: Ensuring that the research enterprise continues to evolve, innovate and develop the next-generation of treatments, tests and cures; that our students in medicine and biomedical sciences are provided the building blocks they need to not only succeed technically in their fields – but to become the professionals who provide the next generation of scientific and medical leadership; and for the clinical enterprise to remain focused on serving not only New Orleans and Louisiana, but the world we live in. Dr. Hamm enthusiastically supports the mission and foundational aspects of the Louisiana State Medical Society - to “Advocate, Collaborate, Communicate and Educate” - as the LSMS serves as a trusted resource for all physicians in the great state of Louisiana. A nephrologist by training, he maintains active research collaborations and a clinical practice, allowing him to remain on top of current trends and needs. But he says what is most gratifying as Dean is being able to make the connections and put leaders in place for the various departments and programs that help them to grow and prosper in their academic and clinical missions.
Many thanks to: Christopher Foret, M.D., Chair Luis Alvarado, M.D., Secretary
Reece Newsome, M.D. David Broussard, M.D.
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CAN YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS: Are you struggling emotionally? • IS STRESS, FATIGUE, OR BURNOUT AFFECTING YOUR LIFE AND THE ENJOYMENT OF YOUR WORK?
FEELING STRESS, FATIGUE OR JUST NOT YOURSELF?
•
ARE YOU NOT QUITE YOURSELF AT WORK? AT HOME?
•
COULD YOU BENEFIT FROM CONNECTING TO A PEER (ANOTHER PHYSICIAN WHO ‘GETS IT’) WHO CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT BY LISTENING AND TALKING?
The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS), in partnership with Corporate Counseling Associates, Inc. (CCA), is exploring the option of creating a physician peer-to-peer support program. The proposed program will be free for every physician, resident/fellow, and medical student in the state. This is NOT counseling. No evaluation, records, or reporting. It’s a casual and confidential conversation with a trained physician peer coach. However, before we move forward, the LSMS needs to gauge whether our members would utilize the program as either a peer coach or a participant. Please take our survey by Friday, September 9. The results will be presented to the LSMS Board
FREE • NO NOTES CONFIDENTIAL
in partnership with Corporate Counseling Associates, Inc.
of Governors for review at their September 14 meeting. TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY!
—Take Care Of You!— A NEW PHYSICIAN PEER TO PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY!
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WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Governor’s Office has requested physician nominations from the LSMS for consideration to the following Boards and Commissions:
• Louisiana Emergency Response Network (LERN) - This board was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 2004 to create a statewide system of trauma and time sensitive illness care coordinated among pre-hospital, acute, post-acute, rehabilitation, and injury prevention, to provide access to local health systems for time sensitive patient treatment. Please click here for more information regarding meetings, rules, and past minutes. • Louisiana Emergency Response Network, Region 5 Commission – Please click here for information. • Louisiana Medical Advisory Board – This board was created to assist the Office of Motor Vehicles in determining if a driver has any visual ability or physical condition, impairment, or disability which may impair
their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Please click here for more information regarding meetings, rules, and past minutes. • Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition – The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by providing for the licensure and regulation of persons practicing the profession of dietetics and nutrition. Please click here for more information. We consider this a great honor as it confirms that our members are valuable contributors to the future of healthcare in Louisiana. To be considered for nomination, please forward your name, corresponding Board or Commission name, contact information, and CV to Terri Watson, terri@lsms.org.
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR RENEWALS! For the same price as six stops at the coffee shop each month, you have access to all the exclusive LSMS member benefits you love. The LSMS advocates, communicates, educates, and collaborates with the help of dedicated members like yourself. It is through membership that the LSMS has continued to thrive for more than 140 years. Please take a few minutes to make sure your membership continues and that your information is up to date. With your support, LSMS is able to advocate, communicate, educate, and collaborate, with the goal of protecting your profession. We appreciate our dedicated LSMS members and their commitment to the Society. We urge you to remain an active member by taking action as soon as you receive your renewal invoice. The easiest way to renew is to sign up for our *NEW* auto-pay membership. Monthly, quarterly, and annual installments are available. You can also renew through the secure payment link sent directly to your email inbox. For members and practices that prefer to pay via check, a paper invoice can be provided. As you submit your renewal, please verify and update your profile so that we can better communicate with you!
AVOID THE CLUTTER AND SIGN UP FOR AUTOPAY!
If you have any questions about your membership or want to get started with autopay today, contact Amy Tyrrell at atyrrell@lsms.org or 225.763.2303.
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ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS June 8, 2022
The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) Board of Governors met on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at the Seed Center in Lake Charles and on Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Hilton Capital Center in Baton Rouge. The bulleted points below highlight the actions taken by the board. Draft minutes are maintained in the office of the Executive Vice President until such time they are approved by the board, signed by the secretary/treasurer, and appended to the LSMS Website. • Approved the minutes of the last LSMS Board of Governors meeting, which was held on March 16, 2022. • Approved the minutes of the LSMS Executive Committee from May 6, 2022. • Reviewed unaudited financial statements for the LSMS, and its subsidiaries, through April 30, 2022.
Medical Examiners.
• Approved submitting a series of resolutions to the LSMS House of Delegates intended to strengthen the Louisiana Delegation, to the American Medical Association, and its adherence to LSMS directives and policies. • Approved submitting a resolution at the 2022 LSMS House of Delegates adding one delegate representative from the Edward Via College of Medicine to the House. • Approved submitting a resolution at the 2022 LSMS House of Delegates asking to dissolve the Senior Physician Section. • Created an ad hoc committee to look at how to get physicians to practice in rural areas. • Created an ad hoc committee to review and make recommendations related to revising the state’s position on the corporate practice of medicine. • Created an ad hoc committee to proactively look at potential medical malpractice reform and any associated cost savings. • Approved the Budget and Finance Committee’s recommendation to ask the 2022 House of Delegates for a $50 per year dues increase for Active members. August 5, 2022 • Appointed Luis Arencibia, MD to fill the remaining vacant term as the 2nd District Councilor on the Board of Governors. • Approved submitting a series of late resolutions to the LSMS House of Delegates revising current LSMS policies related to abortion, which resulted from the reversal of Roe v Wade in June 2022. • Approved the society purchasing a membership to the Baton Rouge City Club. • Approved future meeting dates of the board for 2023 - March 8, June 7, August 4, September 13, and December 13.
• Reviewed the 2nd quarter membership report for 2022.
• Received updates and/or formal reports on the recent activities of:
• Corporate Counseling Associates’ peer-to-peer wellness program
• Advantage Physicians Healthcare Trust
• 2022 Legislative Session Wrap Up
• Washington, DC Mardi Gras for 2023
• Approved canceling a management contract with Covalent Logic and hiring an in-house communication staff. • Approved the engagement agreement with LA Champagne for 2021 financial audits and tax filings. • Directed executive staff to issue a request for proposals for the 2022 audits and tax filings and present them at the December 14, 2022 board meeting for consideration. • Approved setting LSMS Medical/Dental affiliate dues at 50% of Active Member dues. • Approved nominating Roderick Clark, MD to one additional and final term on the Louisiana State Board of
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PHYSICIANS FACE YET ANOTHER FINANCIAL STORM Let the LSMS Help You
As we enter the second half of 2022, with the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, for most, physicians find themselves in yet another precarious financial position. For most of 2020 and 2021, physicians had to deal with difficult financial situations created by shutdowns, quarantines, and medical care being delayed, which created cash flow issues among other problems. However, most anticipated or expected this year to be “back to normal” but it’s not, and physicians are experiencing yet another financial calamity. For most physicians, 2022 has brought near record inflation that many have never experienced in their personal or professional lives. Even our more seasoned folks have probably forgotten what it feels like as it has been almost forty years since things have been this bad. Currently, inflation sits at 9.1% through the middle of August. What does that really mean and how does it impact physicians? First, lets compare 2022 to 2018, well before the pandemic and current financial crisis. In 2018, $1 was equivalent in purchasing power to about $1.18 today, an increase of $0.18 over that four-year period. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 4.31% between 2018 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 18%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index or CPI, this means a dollar today only buys 82% of what it could buy just four short years ago. The CPI collects about 94,000 prices per month on approximately 300 commodities and services to calculate the weighted change from last month, i.e., the inflation rate. Physicians in both their personal and professional lives are feeling these financial pressures. From a personal perspective, physicians are impacted because inflation is heterogeneous in that the cost of some items will rise more than others, which impacts everyone differently. For example, as gas prices have spiked, physicians commuting further distances to and from the office have been affected more than physicians who live much closer to their office. Another example is younger physicians with children in the house experience food price increases much more than empty nesters. However, everyone whether in private practice or employed is experiencing the financial impacts of the near record inflation of this year as your dollar only buys 82% of what it did in 2018. This rings true for office and medical supplies, as well as other goods and services.
On the professional side of things, wages generally keep up with inflation, which as an employer means it costs more to support and retain your office staff, nurses, and other personnel. Moreover, employment cost has not only been influenced by inflation but has been exacerbated by staffing shortages and changes in business practices resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Quite simply, it costs a lot more today to fully staff a physician office, clinic or hospital and those costs, in many instances, cannot be passed onto the consumer, therefore it can only be absorbed by cutting additional costs. Further compounding this issue for physicians is their reliance of health care spending from government programs. When inflation rises, the group that gets pinched the most is anyone living on fixed income and physicians should consider themselves in this group. That may sound strange but when almost two-thirds of all health care spending in the U.S. comes from government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you are on a fixed income. Reimbursement rates for Medicare have long been outpaced by annual single digit inflation and for 2023 Medicare rates are projected to decrease. Historically, Medicaid in many instances barely covered costs, and those costs are rising. In the old days, physicians could make up for these increased costs by simply increasing their patient volumes. However, today with value-based payment models and physicians already seeing record numbers of patients each day, that is no longer a reality. So, what can you do and how can the LSMS help? Our mission is to be trusted advocate for physicians in the state of Louisiana promote excellence in the practice of medicine. Let us help you! 1. Contact Us. Whether you are an independent or employed physician, our specialty is helping you. If you have an idea or a need to address an administrative burden or reduce hassle factors, let us know. We have relationships with legislators, regulators, administrators, and other stakeholders, who can assist us in realizing positive change. Reducing administrative burdens saves you time and money. Be sure to read the article included in this newsletter on 2023 PCF rates. Its just one example of us working for you.
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2. Get Engaged. We have many internal working groups addressing issues specific to private practice, employed practice, non-compete agreements, scope of practice, medical malpractice reform, and the corporate practice of medicine. All these issues impact your bottom line. Lend us your expertise and help us help you. 3. Utilize our Services. The LSMS has been working hard to provide products and services that impact your bottom line as a physician. Again, our goal is to provide you with professional services that reduce your expenses or increase your revenues. HealthSYNC is a physician-led health information network delivered in partnership between the LSMS and KONZA offering a suite of health information technology tools. HealthSYNC provides you with the tools necessary to: • Access patient information in a timely, secure manner • Improve care coordination and patient safety • Increase physician/patient communication • Engage patients through an online patient portal • Utilize patient panel and population health analytics in a meaningful way • Effectively transition to a value-based payment model • Support efforts to meet requirements for MIPS/APMs • Visit www.healthsyncla.com for more information. Our Multi-Employer 401K Plan (MEP) as you might infer from the name, is a 401k retirement savings plan that allows multiple physician practices the ability to consolidate their individual savings plans under one universal umbrella. A 401(k) MEP represents a cost-effective method for smaller businesses to have all the bells and whistles that large companies have in their 401(k) plans, at a competitive price. The primary benefits of participating in our MEP 401k are reduced costs, a shift of fiduciary liability, reduced administrative burdens, and a higher level of service for those employees who participate. By taking advantage of economies of scale, the overall costs of offering a 401(k) are often significantly reduced.
Visit https://myplanconnection.com/plansource-/lsms/why- join.htm to learn more.
The Advantage Physicians Healthcare Trust (APHT) was established by the Louisiana State Medical Society to deliver a LSMS sponsored health plan to our members and their employees which aims to save them approximately 10-15% annually. The plan application is currently under review by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, and we anticipate receiving final approval without undue delay. APHT is a multiple employer welfare arrangement or “MEWA” under ERISA and is an association-sponsored self-insured trust under Louisiana state law. Members of LSMS will be offered three different coverage options which are closely modeled after the most common plans utilized by customers of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana which will serve as the claims administrator of the plan. Please watch for an official announcement of approval after which we encourage all our members to apply for health care coverage through APHT so that we can grow and maintain this benefit for our membership for many years into the future. HELP US TAKE POLITICS OUT OF MEDICINE! SUPPORT LAMPAC
Donate Today!
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August 2022 The “actions” listed below provide a summary of the business of the House of Delegates and no not represent the entirety of the business of the House. The full proceedings of the House, along with a resolution status report, and other official documents may be reviewed at https://lsms.org/page/HODGeneral THE HOUSE APPROVED THE FOLLOWING NEW POLICIES Abortion
The LSMS adopts the 2018 World Medical Association principles on medically indicated termination of pregnancy as follows: • Medically indicated termination of pregnancy refers only to interruption of pregnancy due to health reasons, in accordance with principles of evidence-based medicine and good clinical practice. This Declaration does not include or imply any views on termination of pregnancy carried out for any reason other than medical indication. • Termination of pregnancy is a medical matter between the patient and the physician. Attitudes toward termination of pregnancy are a matter of individual conviction and conscience that should be respected. • A circumstance where the patient may be harmed by carrying the pregnancy to term presents a conflict between the life of the fetus and the health of the pregnant woman. Diverse responses to resolve this dilemma reflect the diverse cultural, legal, traditional, and regional standards of medical care throughout the world. • Physicians should be aware of local termination of pregnancy laws, regulations, and reporting requirements. National laws, norms, standards, and clinical practice related to termination of pregnancy should promote and protect women’s health, dignity and their human rights, voluntary informed consent, and autonomy in decision-making, confidentiality, and privacy. National medical associations should advocate that national health policy upholds these principles. • Where the law allows medically indicated termination of pregnancy to be performed, the procedure should be performed by a competent physician and only in extreme cases by another qualified health care worker, in accordance with evidence-based medicine principles
and good medical practice in an approved facility that meets required medical standards. • The convictions of both the physician and the patient should be respected. • Patients must be supported appropriately and provided with necessary medical and psychological treatment along with appropriate counselling if desired. • Physicians have a right to conscientious objection to performing an abortion; therefore, they may withdraw while ensuring the continuity of medical care by a qualified colleague. In all cases, physician must perform those procedures necessary to save the woman’s life and to prevent serious injury to her health. • Physicians must work with relevant institutions and authorities to ensure that no woman is harmed because medically indicated termination of pregnancy services are unavailable. Public Health • The LSMS supports the implementation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s electronic case reporting system for healthcare facilities throughout the state of Louisiana. • The LSMS will encourage physicians, and medical students to cultivate long-term trusting relationships with patients, address cultural values and barriers in communication, which will facilitate successful participation in precision medicine research programs. • The LSMS will support efforts to improve diversity in precision medicine research. • Precision Medicine is as defined by the National Academy of Medicine in 2011: “Precision medicine” refers to the tailoring of medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient. It does not literally mean the creation of drugs or medical devices
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that are unique to a patient, but rather the ability to classify individuals into subpopulations that differ in their susceptibility to a particular disease, in the biology and/or prognosis of those diseases they may develop, or in their response to a specific treatment. • The LSMS acknowledges the trend in black maternal health as a public health crisis. • The LSMS encourages research that addresses racial disparities in maternal health and encourages recommendations to correct the underlying factors or causes of social determinants of health that impact these disparities. • The LSMS advocates for policy that addresses social determinants of health and seeks to eliminate its adverse consequences on maternal morbidity and mortality. Reimbursement • The LSMS supports the continuation of reimbursement for telemedicine. Mental Health • The LSMS recognizes burnout and mental health illnesses in medical students and physicians as significant issues requiring attention. • The LSMS encourages medical schools and teaching hospitals in Louisiana to increase research on mental health statistics of medical students and physicians. • The LSMS encourages public funding and collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health in providing resources to aid medical schools and hospitals for
increasing research on burnout & mental health issues, and statistics of medical student and physicians. Licensure • The LSMS supports the development of programs and laws that allow unmatched medical graduates to obtain training licenses, associate physician licenses or other form of restricted licenses in the State of Louisiana to allow for practicing in a collaborative agreement with fully licensed physicians. • The revocation of a physician’s board certification by the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties on accusations of alleged professional misconduct for the dissemination of misinformation or disinformation that may threaten public health or the health of patients should be based on a clear and convincing evidentiary standard. Absent express reliance on the application of such standard, revocation should not be considered as effective for purposes of limitation of medical staff membership or privileges, insurance panel membership or participation, or discipline by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Medical Education • The LSMS supports the creation of additional graduate medical education positions within the state. Physicians • The Louisiana State Medical Society opposes criminal and civil penalties on doctors for providing medical care to their patients.
Century Club Spotlight:
Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) was founded in 1983 by Dr. Craig Walker, who first established the company as a one-physician practice in Houma, Louisiana. At that time, the city was experiencing one of the highest cardiovascular disease mortality rates in the nation. Driven by a desire to serve and heal people in his community, Dr. Walker envisioned CIS as a leader in the development of new techniques and technologies in the treatment of both coronary and peripheral artery diseases.
Today, CIS continues to grow and expand to multiple locations striving to make the most advanced cardiovascular care accessible to a wide spectrum of communities across Louisiana and Mississippi. We believe that our unwavering dedication to the CIS mission of providing the highest quality cardiovascular care has truly been the cornerstone of this successful growth.
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