Last Updated: Aug 12, 2021
On Wednesday, August 11 , the Auditor General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tim DeFoor, graciously joined the PAMED Board of Trustees as a guest speaker. A true lifelong public servant, Mr. DeFoor served within both Pennsylvania Offices of the Inspector General and Attorney General. During the time, Tim investigated fraud, waste and abuse, including Medicaid fraud and illegal prescription drug diversion. In 2015, Tim assumed the position of Dauphin County Controller, becoming the first African-American to win a county-wide position in Dauphin County. It didn’t take long for him to establish himself as a fiscal watchdog and protector of public resources. In his first term in office, Tim was responsible for the recovery of $1 million of taxpayer funds. Mr. DeFoor’s background and experience in law enforcement and auditing uniquely positioned him to move to a state-wide position in 2020. Tim now serves as the 52nd Auditor General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is the first African-American to be elected to a statewide office.
Tim has long been engaged in his community and committed to a life of service, which reflected in his time addressing the PAMED Board of Trustees. Tim spoke about how his work intersects with health care. Specifically, he spoke about Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and the work completed in the past by his predecessor as well his future efforts. Mr. DeFoor outlined the results of past reports and his plans to continue to pursue transparency and fairness of drug prices and the PBMs contracting within Pennsylvania. Importantly, there is mutual interest between the Auditor General’s office and PAMED to maintain contact and provide and share resources where appropriate. PAMED thanks Auditor General DeFoor for his time and remarks and look forward to a continued successful working relationship.
Other topics taken up during the meeting include:
PAMED Welcomes a New Trustee!
Lorraine Rosamilia, MD, a dermatologist from the State College area, was appointed to the PAMED Board to fill the vacancy of Sixth District Trustee after the retirement of Candace Good, MD, from the board.
We warmly welcome Dr. Rosamilia and thank Dr. Good for her years of service.
Budget Approved
The Board of Trustees discussed and approved PAMED’s 2022 budget. PAMED’s membership dues will remain the same for the upcoming 2022 dues billing cycle, which will begin in October of this year.
Specialty Leadership Cabinet (SLC) Updates
Dr. Lorraine Rosamilia, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (PAD), asked for the SLC’s endorsement of their submission of a resolution to the 2021 PAMED House of Delegates on the issue of non-medical switching. The endorsement was unanimously approved. PAD feels this is an issue that affects many specialties who prescribe newer specialty medicines such as biologics which have been subject to the most restrictions in regard to non-medical switching.
In addition, the SLC endorsed the re-submission of a resolution on the Corporate Practice of Medicine that was planned for the 2020 PAMED House of Delegates. It was not submitted due to a focus on COVID-19 -related priorities. The request for endorsement was brought forth by Dr. Shannon Grap on behalf of the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists. The endorsement was unanimously approved.
The next PAMED Board Meeting will be held October 13, 2021