Physicians Must Urge Senators to Pass Legislation to Repeal the SGR
Assignment of Benefits Bill Signed Into Law
PHYSICIANS INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH THE CRISIS IN HAITI
Assignment of Benefits Bill Passes the Legislature
Dems to Bypass Tradition on Final Health Deal
Assignment of Benefits Bill Advances
Updated Information Regarding the Holding of Claims for Services Paid Under The 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
House and Senate Look to Final Health Care Talks
SENATE PASSES HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION - OBAMA TO ADDRESS THE NATION
FINAL SENATE HEALTH CARE VOTE SCHEDULED FOR 8 AM CHRISTMAS EVE
AMA Explains Decision to Support Senate Health Reform Bill
President Gregory J. Gallina, MD Condems the AMA's Support of the Senate Health Reform Bill
Democrats Clear Another Hurdle in Sunrise Vote - Senate Nudges Health Care Bill Forward
Democrats' Health Bill Passes Key Senate Vote
AMA Announces Support for Passage of Senate Health Reform Bill
Physicians Asked to Contact Their Senators to REJECT the Proposal to Expand Medicare
Senate Holds Weekend Reform Debate to Discuss H.R. 3590
Majority Leader Harry Reid Says That He Has Tasked a Group of 10 Democratic Senators "to work things out" On the Public Option.
N.J. Attorney General Recommends Banning MD's From Accepting Medical Company Freebies
Senate Casts First Votes to Amend Health Bill
Senate Considers Amendments to Health Bill. Votes on Amendments Begin Today.
Read the AMA's letter to Senator Majory Leader Harry Reid
Senate Set for Health Care Overhaul Debate - 60 Votes Needed to Move Ahead
From Gregory J. Gallina, MD - President of the Bergen County Medical Society
Dear Fellow Colleagues:
The Bergen County Medical Society does not endorse HR 3962, HR 3961, or the current bill under consideration on the Senate floor. The Bergen County Medical Society concurs with the Medical Society of New Jersey and MSNJ’s stance on healthcare reform. Upon listening to our membership and to your hospital representatives, the Bergen County medical Society strongly feels that none of the current bills under consideration by Congress satisfactorily meet the goals for healthcare reform that we as physicians seek for ourselves and want for our patients.
BCMS and MSNJ are committed to representing physician membership in this crucial time for our nation and the exemplary healthcare that we provide. BCMS and MSNJ have been working tirelessly for all of us in recent months. Over the coming weeks, we hope to send out future communications regarding our stance and progress on healthcare reform, as well as some of the other legislative and legal battles that the Society is engaged in.
Our voice can only be stronger and louder with your membership. Recently, you should have received your membership renewal information. We urge you to review this packet and continue your membership or join our society during these crucial times. If you have not received membership information, please call The Bergen County Medical Society at 201-489-3140 or click here to get more information on becoming a member.
I wish every one a happy and safe Thanksgiving and an enjoyable holiday season. We hope to be hearing from you soon.
Gregory J. Gallina, MD, FASCRS
President, Bergen County Medical Society
Will Senate Back a Final Healthcare Plan?
House Passes H.R. 3961 - Legislation to Permanently Repeal the SGR
Federal Trade Commission Announces That the Red Flags Rule is Delayed Until June 1, 2010
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BERGEN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Dear Fellow Physicians:
As anyone reading the news knows, it is a unique time in American healthcare. A national healthcare ‘overhaul’ is being proposed in what appears to be a hasty fashion. I am writing to assemble physician involvement in this process.
I find certain aspects of our government’s course quite troubling. First and foremost, it currently appears that this policy is being written and will quite possibly be voted upon with minimal physician participation. It is imperative that a MAJORITY of active and practicing physicians (not necessarily the AMA leadership) join together and voice their opinion regarding revolutionary changes to our profession and to our livelihood. Second, any attempts to set fee schedules or impose mandatory participation related to a pre-set fee schedule (i.e. Medicare) would seem to me at least as a restriction of trade if not as a true socialization of our health care system. Given the myriad shortcomings seen with such systems worldwide, this would be a treacherous endeavor. Finally, I feel that regardless of ones political sentiment, any such sweeping reform with strictly partisan (NOT bi-partisan) support is also disquieting.
With the plan to finance this plan to include taxing the ‘rich’ (many physicians fall into ill- defined category) on one hand, and on the other hand forcing reduced and restricted physician reimbursement to whatever levels the government needs to balance its sheets, I feel much like our forefathers felt in the age of “taxation without representation”. I hereby call on all of my fellow physicians to join me as ‘Minutemen’ in this battle against government oppression.
We cannot wage this fight without BROAD-BASED MAJORITY PHYSICIAN SUPPORT!!!
It is time to ignore our individual differences and join towards the common goal. I ask each and every doctor who believes this e-mail to first join ourBergen County Medical Society [by calling (201) 489-3140] and then to contact me about what you want us to do as these issues press onward.
I will respond to your e-mails and invite you to a forum for all of us to share ideas. The Medical Society can provide you with contact information for your government representatives. Please show your interest and help us refuse to be ignored in this critical process.
Sincerely,
Gregory J. Gallina, MD FASCRS
President, Bergen County Medical Society
gallinamd@gmail.com