The Medical Society of New Jersey is devoted to advocating for the
issues that matter most to physicians. Be it taking on the managed care
companies through legislation or the courts, lobbying Congress to increase
Medicare payments, or preventing taxes on physicians, we are your full time
advocate and resource for information. We hope that this site will help
empower you to learn about the major issues facing physicians, help you
advocate, and allow you an easy way to participate in the process.
GOVERNOR CORZINE SIGNS PAID FAMILY LEAVE
Despite tremendous opposition from businesses across the state, Governor Jon Corzine on May 2 made good on his pledge to sign legislation making New Jersey only the third state in the nation to provide all employees with up to six weeks of paid family leave. Employees can receive two-thirds of their pay, up to a maximum of $524 per week. To pay for the program, the new law on January 1 will increase payroll taxes on all workers. Employees will not be able to begin taking paid leave until July 1, 2009.
The law permits employers to require employees who take paid leave to use up to two weeks of vacation, sick or other paid time off provided by the employer instead of paid leave. The employees would then be able to take only an additional four weeks of paid leave under the new law. The law also states that employers with 2-49 workers would incur no legal liability for not holding open a position for an employee who takes a leave under the program.
MSNJ Comments on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
The Medical Society of New Jersey
submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding the proposed rule on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement. MSNJ strongly supports the establishment of a federal framework for physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals and entities to voluntarily report "patient safety work product" to patient safety organizations (PSOs) on a privileged and confidential basis. The proposed rule provides further guidance for the establishment of a patient safety evaluation system that will set the stage for enhancing patient safety activities across the spectrum of health care delivery settings.
A MESSAGE FROM THE AMA
Support new Senate bill to stop Medicare physician payment cuts. The AMA urges physicians, medical students and all others concerned about senior's access to health care to voice strong support for the Save Medicare Act of 2008 (S. 2785). Introduced by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., the bill would prevent the 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician payments planned for July 1, retain current levels for the remainder of 2008 and enact a 1.8 percent increase for 2009. It would also continue "rural extender" provisions that are set to expire, such as the floor for the work Geographic Practice Cost Indices and the bonus for physician scarcity areas. AMA President-elect Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, pointed out that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recently called on Congress to replace physician payment cuts with updates that reflect medical practice cost increases. "Senator Stabenow's bill is an important step toward implementing this recommendation, and we urge Congress to act before the cut begins this July and seniors' access to care is negatively affected," said Dr. Nielsen. Call (800) 833-6354 or visit the AMA Web site to get in touch with your members of Congress in support of S. 2785.
HOT HEALTHCARE ISSUES IN NEW JERSEY
MSNJ comments on Bill S-2600
MSNJ commented to the Mandated Health Advisory Committee concerning S-2600, a bill that provides more insurance benefits to Physical Therapists than plenary care physicians receive. Click here to review MSNJ's comments.
Medicare
Members are reminded that the new Medicare fee schedule that increases fees on average by .5%, instead of the scheduled 10% fee cut, is only effective until mid-year. While MSNJ will work with Congress for a permanent solution to the flawed Medicare fee formula and to institute positive updates, members should consider the possibility of the 10% fee cut occurring mid-year. We do not now if physicianswill be given a chance to change their participation status mid-year. To plan for participation decisions, read AMA’s publication on the three options for participation which illustrates the differences in payments.
For more information, read the January 18, 2008 issue of MSNJ e-News »
Personal Injury Protection
The State has recently proposed a new fee schedule for PIP payments to physicians that will dramatically lower reimbursements and jeopardize our trauma system. Most fees are set at 130% of Medicare. UCR is left to be determined by insurance companies.
Read more »
MSNJ LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT
Medicaid/NJ Family Care Beneficiary Billing by Health Care Providers
Click here to see MSNJ's comments to the Department of Human Services’ proposed rule "protecting NJ Family Care/Medicaid beneficiaries against liability for payment"
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