Below is a summary of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's involvement and accomplishments as members of various national and statewide organizations and coalitions (listed alphabetically).
Purpose:
| To provide a professional home, technical assistance and resources for researchers and policy professionals. Committed to the vision of improving health and health care by generating new knowledge and moving knowledge into action. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Individual members
(Dennis Olmstead) |
Accomplishment:
| Has 3,200 research members and 100 affiliated organizations in US and abroad. Produces Health Affairs, HSR Journal and the Milbank Quarterly. |
| $ contributions: | $175 per year |
Other members:
| National health services researchers and health policymakers |
Department of Health Arthritis Task Force
Purpose:
| To develop a plan for prevention and treatment of arthritis. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Member
(Barbara Layne) |
| Accomplishments: | Continues to develop plan. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| Arthritis Foundation
Specialty societies for orthopedics and rheumatology |
Department of Health Hospital Regulations Work Group
Purpose:
| To revise and update DOH's rules and regulations regarding licensed health care facilities. DOH announced intent to continue process. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Member
(Don McCoy/Catherine Wilson) |
Accomplishments:
| Working on promulgation of changes to chapters of the hospital regulations. |
$ contributions:
| Staff and physician participation in review of regulations. |
Other members:
| Health Law Project
The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
Individual hospitals |
Department of Public Welfare Medical Assistance Advisory Committee
Purpose:
| To advise DPW on operation of Medical Assistance program. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Member and chairperson
(Bernie Lynch) |
Accomplishments:
| Review of draft Medical Assistance regulations; react to proposed Medical Assistance changes. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| Consumer organizations
The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
Managed Care Association
Medical Assistance Managed Care
Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians |
Department of Public Welfare Medical Assistance Advisory Committee—Managed Care Subcommittee
Purpose:
| To advise MAAC and DPW on issues affecting managed care in Pennsylvania. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Member
(Bernie Lynch) |
Accomplishments:
| Has 3,200 research members and 100 affiliated organizations in US and abroad. Produces Health Affairs, HSR Journal and the Milbank Quarterly. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| Managed Care Association
Managed care plans
Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians |
Purpose:
| To provide assistance to Pennsylvania businesses on creating a drug-free workplace. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Medical Society has been a sponsor and has a member on the board.
(Diane Seibert) |
| Accomplishments: | Has provided a number of programs for various employers. |
| $ contributions: | $195 in 2000 |
Other members:
| Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Governor's Office
Physician General
Numerous corporations and businesses |
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Harrisburg Regional Chamber
Purpose:
| To be a catalyst for policy change, job creation, and for business growth in Harrisburg. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Staff liaison
(Bernie Lynch) |
Accomplishments:
| Attempts to promote city of Harrisburg as a business-friendly city. |
| $ contributions: | $635 |
Other members:
| Political and business leaders from the city of Harrisburg. |
Purpose:
| To provide opportunities for health care financial professionals access to technical and management information, certification, colleague interaction and professional benefits. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Member
(Bernie Lynch) |
Accomplishments:
| We participate in the legislative and reimbursement committee for local Appalachian Chapter. Opportunity to network with health care financial/reimbursement professionals. |
| $ contributions: | $180 per year |
Other members:
| National organization for health care financial management professionals |
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Lancaster County Business on Health
Purpose:
| To provide education on health care related issues and promote cooperation among providers, payers and insurers. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Participating member of Strategic Planning Committee
(Mary Ellen Corum) |
Accomplishments:
| Educational programs; created Internet site to advance employee and patient understanding of health care benefits; employer tool kit for starting a wellness program. |
| $ contributions: | $50 per year |
Other members:
| Business
Health plans
Physicians |
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Purpose:
| To enhance health care delivery and administration through a broad range of group practice leadership and professional development, education, credentialing, information, communication, advocacy, networking and research activities. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Allied member
(Dennis Olmstead) |
Accomplishment:
| Work closely with AMA on health care reform, Medicare payment reform and other third party payment issues. Provide educational forums, telephone conferences. |
| $ contributions: | $355 per year in dues |
Other members:
| Consultants
Corporate members in fields related to physician group practices
Non-physician administrators of group practices large and small
Physicians |
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National Business Coalition
Purpose:
| To assist coalition movement for meaningful change in local health care markets. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Affiliate member
(Mary Ellen Corum) |
Accomplishments:
| Voice of nearly 100 coalitions nationwide. |
| $ contributions: | None |
| Other members: | 8,000 employers nationwide |
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Purpose:
| To collect and analyze data on serious events and incidents in health care facilities. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Staff liaison
(Amy Green)
(Diane Siebert) |
Accomplishments:
| Developed a facility reporting procedure to report and analyze serious events and incidents. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
Legal, nursing, public representation |
Patient Safety Forum
Purpose:
| To share information and pursue projects to enhance patient safety in Pennsylvania. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Medical Society started the coalition.
(Don McCoy) |
| Accomplishments: | Working on an MRSA infection reduction program. |
| $ contributions: | Approximately $3,000 per year for operation |
Other members:
| PHC4
Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority |
PA Association of Governmental Relations
Purpose:
| To promote ethical lobbying and keep members informed of current issues. |
Society/staff
involvement: | One of the original members (1992)
(Larry Light, past president/3 members) |
| Accomplishments: | Opposed “one-sided” lobbying campaign reform. |
| $ contributions: | $95 per year for each of four lobbyists |
Other members:
| Lobbyists from:
Associations and corporations
The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
Law firms
PA Chamber
Utilities contract lobbyist |
PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation—Provider Insurer Advisory Committee
Purpose:
| To provide advice to Bureau on operation of Workers' Compensation program. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Member
(Don McCoy/Catherine Wilson) |
Accomplishments:
| Developed medical report form. Revised WC fee schedule. Worked on WC policy changes regarding health care service delivery and reimbursement. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
Insurance Federation
Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association
WC insurers |
Purpose:
| To develop statewide standards for emergency medical services. With the passage of Act 45 of 1985, the Council became the official advisory body to the Secretary of Health on EMS matters. |
Society/staff
involvement:
| Society is one of the founders. Has a position on the Board of Directors. Also has positions on several committees. (Don McCoy) |
Accomplishments:
| Established a system of voluntary standards for upgrading emergency medical services in Pennsylvania. Created training and testing standards for emergency medical services personnel. |
$ contributions:
| The organization is funded through a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Health so no dues are charged. The Society has traditionally contributed $1,000 per year to this organization. |
Other members:
| The Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania
PaACEP
PAFP
PA Trauma Systems Foundation |
PA Trauma Systems Foundation
Purpose:
| To establish standards for trauma centers in Pennsylvania and accredit those that meet those standards. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Board member
(Don McCoy) |
Accomplishments:
| System of trauma centers is in place in Pennsylvania. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
PA Department of Health |
Purpose:
| To increase taxes on tobacco and reduce its use. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Medical Society is a member
(Barbara Layne) |
Accomplishments:
| Increased awareness of anti-tobacco legislation. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
American Lung Association |
Purpose:
| To promote the varied interests of the business community (small and large businesses). |
Society/staff
involvement:
| Founding member of the PA Civil Justice Coalition (CJC). Staff also invited to participate in a variety of issues such as Workers’ Compensation, managed care and employer education.
(Denise Zimmerman) |
| $ contributions: | $1,396 per year |
Other members:
| Businesses—large and small—statewide. |
Pennsylvania eHealth Initiative
Purpose:
| To support development of statewide network for exchange of PHI. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Society is founding partner.
(Bernie Lynch/Denise Zimmerman) |
| Accomplishments: | In organizational development stage. |
| $ contributions: | $310 per year |
Other members:
| Founding partners:
Pennsylvania Medical Society
Quality Insights of Pennsylvania |
Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)
Purpose:
| To collect and analyze health care cost and quality data. |
Society/staff
involvement: | Staff liaison
(Don McCoy) |
Accomplishments:
| PHC4 has produced numerous public reports on health costs. |
| $ contributions: | None |
Other members:
| AFL-CIO
The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
IBC
PA Chamber
Other business/labor organizations |
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