Your Voice Matters: Join MSSNY’s Physician Advocacy Day on March 11!
Friday, February 28, 2025
Cultural Differences at the Annual House of Delegates
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Colleagues:
Even though we are all in NY State, the cultures of Upstate and Downstate are different in surprising ways. When my wife and I bought our first house in Binghamton, my brother-in-law drove up from Dix Hills on Long Island to visit us. This was during hunting season. On the way, he stopped off at the Roscoe Diner on Route 17 (now Interstate 86). He went to use the restroom facilities. As he was exiting the toilet stall, he saw a man washing off a bloody knife in the sink.
My brother-in-law then put up his hands. The man asked him what he was doing, and my brother-in-law responded,” Where I come from, when someone pulls out a knife in a restroom, that means you are being mugged!” The man told him to put his hands back down, that he was not being mugged, and that all the man was doing was cleaning up after having shot a deer and dressing it in the woods.
Upon his eventual arrival at our home, my brother-in-law was still upset and unnerved. “Where in the world are you living?” he exclaimed. “They are shooting Bambi and Thumper up here!”
My brother-in-law also told us his conversation with the hunter. The hunter’s response to objections about hunting was, “How am I supposed to feed my family? This is how we eat.”
The coda to the story is that 25 years later, I was talking to one of my patients about this story. It turned out that my patient was the hunter who was washing off his knife. His side of the story was that he was minding his own business when a crazy guy bolted out of the bathroom stall.
In Upstate NY, there are so few of us that we are maybe 2 degrees of separation from each other. If this incident had occurred in NYC, I could not imagine the odds of me meeting both individuals in this story.
I mention this story now for another reason. MSSNY is preparing now for our House of Delegates Annual Meeting in Westchester on April 3-5, 2025. Although we are all from NY State, there are distinct cultural differences among us. As we debate the 90+ resolutions that have been submitted, I urge everyone to remain respectful. Whatever you see or hear, try to interpret it in the best possible light, not the worst. If you encounter the equivalent of a bloody knife, keep your cool, keep an open mind, engage in meaningful dialogue, and let us all learn from and enjoy the upcoming meeting.
One more thing. MSSNYPAC needs your donation. It is nice to pass Resolutions at the House of Delegates, but MSSNYPAC provides the punch to get the Resolutions to actually do something. Click here to donate now.
All the best,
Jerome C. Cohen, MD
MSSNY President
Break Barriers, Lead Change—Join MSSNY’s Women Physicians Section
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Women in medicine have made incredible strides, yet barriers still stand in the way of true equity. Despite making up more than half of medical school enrollees, women physicians remain underrepresented in leadership, earn less than their male counterparts, and face unique challenges balancing career and family. These obstacles persist, not because of a lack of talent or ambition, but due to systemic structures that have yet to catch up with the realities of modern medicine.
But here’s the truth: change doesn’t happen unless we make it happen.
That’s why MSSNY’s Women Physicians Section exists—to provide a strong network of support, leadership development, and advocacy so women physicians can advance their careers, gain influence, and drive meaningful change. Through mentorship, policy initiatives, and professional development, we are committed to ensuring that women physicians have the opportunities, recognition, and compensation they deserve.
Your career, your future, and your impact start with you. As a MSSNY member, you have access to this empowering community. Join us. Get involved. Email Emily Rento ([email protected]) and take the next step in shaping your career and the future of medicine.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we lead. Join MSSNY’s Women Physicians Section today.
8 Challenges Unique to Women Physicians (Littrell, Medical Economics, 2/20).
The Impact of Private Equity on Physician Practices: What You Need to Know
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A recent study published in JAMA Health highlights the increasing trend of private equity (PE) acquisitions in physician practices and the impact of PE exits on physician retention. The findings raise significant concerns about physician turnover and the consolidation of medical practices, with implications for patient care, physician autonomy, and healthcare costs.
According to the study, when a PE-owned physician practice is sold—typically within 3 to 7 years after acquisition—physicians are 16.5 percentage points more likely to leave the practice within two years compared to their peers in non-PE practices. Many of these departing physicians move to larger healthcare organizations, contributing to industry consolidation and potentially reducing the availability of independent practice options.
Physician departures following PE exits may stem from shifts in financial incentives, changes in practice management, and concerns about corporate interference in medical decision-making. For patients, this turnover disrupts continuity of care, while for physicians, it may result in reduced clinical autonomy and increased pressure to meet financial targets.
MSSNY has long recognized the risks associated with corporate investment in healthcare and remains committed to protecting physician decision-making and patient access to care. Our policy explicitly supports educating physicians about the risks of PE acquisitions and advocating safeguards against corporate interference in medical practice. Additionally, we continue to push for policies that ensure physician continuity and protect patient care in the event of contract transitions, bankruptcies, or other adverse business developments.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, it is crucial for physicians to stay informed about these trends and their potential impact on medical practice. MSSNY will continue working with the American Medical Association (AMA) and other stakeholders to support physicians navigating these challenges. If you are considering a PE partnership or experiencing challenges related to corporate ownership, MSSNY is here to provide guidance and advocacy to protect your professional interests and your patients’ well-being.
Sale of Private Equity–Owned Physician Practices and Physician Turnover (Berquist, MD, MPP; Klarnet, BA; Dafny, PhD).
Join Us for MSSNY Physician Advocacy Day on March 11, 2025
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With just over a week to go, now is the time to act. We urge physicians across New York to sign up, spread the word, and bring a colleague to Albany. Make your voice count on MSSNY’s Physician Advocacy Day, where your advocacy can help shape policies that impact your practice and patient care. Key issues this year include preserving the availability of Excess Medical Liability Insurance coverage, preserving physician rights to appeal Medicaid managed care underpayments to dispute resolution, preserving the historical role of county medical societies to review applications to Workers’ Compensation, and protecting patients by opposing the removal of the important oversight of patient care by physicians.
Among the key leaders who will speak at the morning educational program:
- Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
- Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris
- Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt
- Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay
- Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin
- Assembly Insurance Committee Chair David Weprin
- Senate Insurance Committee Chair Jamaal Bailey
- Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Doug Fish
MSSNY’s advocacy will be crucial in confronting these challenges by directly engaging lawmakers and facilitating discussions between physicians and legislators. Scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Albany, the event comes at a pivotal time as the state legislature finalizes its one-house budgets and enters negotiations with the Governor. Join us and stand up for the future of healthcare in New York!
The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical Society of the State of New York designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Join us and stand up for the future of healthcare in New York! Please Register today: Physician Advocacy Registration
MSSNY Announces CME at MSSNY 2025 House of Delegates Registration Now Open
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Please plan to participate in MSSNY’s CME Day leading into the House of Delegates meeting! Earn up to 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ on April 3rd. MSSNY is offering four CME webinars during the 2025 House of Delegates on Thursday April 3rd from 7:30am – 12:30pm. Click on each title to register.
7:30-8:30am
Medical Matters: Stresses & Distresses in a Chaotic World
Faculty: Craig Katz, MD
Educational Objectives:
- Illustrate the many sources of stress that society has endured in recent years
- Identify the different ways the resulting distress can be experienced
- Discuss what clinical approaches are available for helping
(This program is supported in whole by a DHHS grant entitled New York State Hospital Preparedness Program)
8:40-9:40am
Veterans Matters: Substance Use Disorders in Veterans
Faculty: Thomas Madejski, MD
Educational Objectives:
- Identify Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in veterans
- Discuss evidence-based psychosocial strategies to treat veterans with SUDs
- Discuss Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for veterans with alcohol or opioid use disorders Identify barriers to diagnosis and treatment of SUDs in veterans and methods to overcome them
(Funding provided through the New York State Office of Mental Health from a NYS Senate Legislative Grant)
9:50 – 10:50am
Patient Engagement and Cultural Competence Training Program: The Common Thread: The Human Experience
Faculty: Mauvareen Beverley, MD
Educational Objectives:
- Demonstrate empathy when interacting with diverse patients
- Extend respect for the individual’s cultural beliefs regarding their health
- Outline what constitutes judgmental behavior directed at patients
- Recognize the harms of disparate care and employ methods that ensure patient dignity
- Apply methods designed to improve the health outcomes for diverse patient populations, focusing on the Elderly Black Population
Accreditation Statement: The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical Society of the State of New York designates each live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
11:00AM
Resilience, Burnout, and Suicide: Personal and Organizational Interventions to Promote Physician Wellness
Faculty: Donald Moore, MD; Jeffrey Selzer, MD; Michael Myers, MD; and Kristine Olson, MD
Educational Objectives:
- Understanding the signs and symptoms of burnout and stress in themselves and their colleagues
- Apply evidence-based approaches to enhance personal wellness and resilience
- Develop strategies to advocate for institutional policies that will result in a healthier work environment and promote well-being among healthcare professionals
Accreditation Statement: The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical Society of the State of New York designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Meetings for IMGS & OMSS at the MSSNY House of Delegates
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HOD MEETINGS
The International Medical Graduates Section will be hold its annual meeting during MSSNY’s House of Delegates. Please join us on Friday, April 4 – 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Hudson Room at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.
The Organized Medical Staff Section will also hold its Caucus during the HOD. Please join us on Friday, April 4 – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the Hudson Room at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Rohrer at [email protected]
Important Update: MSSNY Staff Phone Extensions Changed
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Attention MSSNY members—all staff phone extensions now include a “0” at the end. Please update your contact records to ensure seamless communication with our team. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay connected and updated with MSSNY!
Be a Judge at MSSNY’s Poster Symposium!
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We need your expertise! If you are in the area and available, consider serving as a judge for MSSNY’s in-person Poster Symposium during the House of Delegates at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. The symposium takes place on Friday, April 4, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM in the Terrace Room.
Your participation will help support and inspire the next generation of physicians. If you’re interested, please contact Kathy Rohrer at [email protected].
Even if you can’t judge, we encourage you to stop by, engage with the Residents and Students, and show your support!
MSSNY Continues Push to Stop Medicare Cuts to Physicians and Urges New York Congressional Delegation to Oppose Medicaid Cuts
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MSSNY is continuing its advocacy to New York’s Congressional Delegation to restore steep cuts to Medicare payments as well as to prevent proposed cuts to New York’s Medicaid program. Physicians are urged to continue to contact their members of Congress MSSNY’s Grassroots Action Center (GAC). to urge that they stop the 2.8% cut that went into effect on January 1, and to provide increases to provide stability to the program in the future.
Advocacy to Reverse Medicare Cuts. The bi-partisan Medicare Patient Access and Patient Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R.879) would reverse the latest round of Medicare payment cuts and provide a positive update until the end of the year to account for cuts that have been implemented since January. Together with the AMA and the federation of medicine, MSSNY is urging that these provisions be included in the healthcare package in the Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded, which expires in March.
Physicians face a 2.8% cut in Medicare payments in 2025 — the fifth consecutive year of cuts—while the cost of running a practice continues to rise. The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), which reflects practice cost inflation, will increase by 3.5% in 2025, yet physician payments continue to decline. Physicians’ Medicare reimbursement has now been reduced by 33% since 2001 when adjusted for inflation in practice costs.
Please urge your members of Congress to reverse these cuts! Please urge them to support the inclusion of the provisions of HR 879 into the March continuing resolution MSSNY’s Grassroots Action Center (GAC).
Advocacy to Preserve Medicaid for Millions of New Yorkers. At the same time, MSSNY is working together with several patient and health care provider groups NY-Delegation-Letter-Protect-Medicaid-January-2025.pdf to urge our Congressional delegation to oppose deep proposed cuts to the Medicaid program and other essential publicly financed health insurance programs. While this week’s Budget resolution did not implement cuts specifically, it gives a massive nearly $900 billion cutting target to the House Energy & Commerce Committee, of which Medicaid is a major item under their jurisdiction.
These cuts under serious discussion would have a significant domino effect, resulting in steep cuts in New York State for programs that currently help millions of patients. MSSNY also joined in our letter to Congressional leaders from dozens of state medical associations across the country to prevent these steep Medicaid cuts. In addition, several county medical societies have joined in locally focused joint stakeholder letters to their local Congressional representatives.
Physicians can join in this effort by sending a letter to their US Representatives here: https://p2a.co/yAa4JM9 urging Congress to reject these steep Medicaid cuts.
Physician Grassroots Must Continue to Fight Adverse Budget Proposals That Weaken Patient Access to Community-Based Physician Care
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Physicians must continue to advocate to their legislators on the numerous proposals impacting medical care delivery set forth in the Executive Budget proposal for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year.
On February 11, MSSNY Immediate Past-President Paul Pipia, MD, testified Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2025 Executive Budget Proposal at a joint Senate-Assembly hearing examining the Healthcare portion of the Governor’s Executive Budget.
Last week, the Governor proposed a series of amendments to her initial Budget submission (“30-day amendments”). Of significant concern, as part of an initiative to transfer the registration of physicians and PAs from the State Education Department to the Health Department, there is a proposal that would appear to eliminate the $30 component of the $600 physician biennial registration that is earmarked specifically for MSSNY’s Committee for Physicians Health (CPH) program. Together with the fact that this proposal would also eliminate physician oversight over many PAs, MSSNY is therefore urging the Legislature to reject this transfer of registration authority.
In addition, MSSNY Continues to Strongly Oppose:
- Eliminating Access to Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR). Eliminating the right of physicians to appeal Medicaid Managed Care underpayments to IDR. This provision could further impair the ability of hospitals to maintain already strained on-call specialty care services. Please send a letter opposing this measure here: Retain Physicians’ Right to Use Independent Dispute Resolution Process in Medicaid Managed Care Claims
- Removing Important County Medical Society Review Role. Eliminating the historical role of county medical societies in vetting physicians to participate in the Workers’ Compensation (WC) program. This proposal does not meaningfully address the reasons physicians refrain from participation in WC and could result in some situations where an injured worker’s claim is impeded due to lack of sufficient knowledge of the often-cumbersome WC process. Please send a letter opposing this measure here: Preserve Role of County Medical Societies in Workers’ Compensation Application Process
- Increasing Liability Costs. Requiring physicians to pay 50% of the Excess Medical Malpractice Insurance cost – a $40,000,000 imposition on the 16,000 physicians with Excess coverage, which would be on top of the already outrageously high medical liability insurance premiums they already pay. Please send a letter opposing this measure here: Reject Physician Cost-Share for Excess Insurance Program.
- Eliminating Physician Supervision. Eliminating the requirement for physician supervision of the healthcare services provided by Physician Assistants (PAs) despite legislation enacted last year (and just implemented) to significantly expand the responsibilities of PAs. Please send a letter opposing this measure here: Preserve Physician-led, Team-based Healthcare.
MSSNY Supports:
- Funding for MSSNY’s Committee for Physicians Health (CPH) program.
- Funding to help increase woefully inadequate Medicaid physician reimbursement.
- Addressing the unworkable provider financial consent requirement enacted last year (currently “on hold”) that consent for payment from the patient be received after services are delivered.
- Directing DOH to undertake a comprehensive review of New York’s outdated health plan network adequacy standards.
The problematic initiatives included in this Budget proposal is another critical reason for physicians to come to Albany for the Annual Physician Advocacy Day on March 11 where they will have an opportunity to interact with numerous legislators who will determine what will remain in the State Budget, and what will come out.
Last Chance to Register for Tomorrow’s Women Physicians Leadership Academy
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Time is running out to register for MSSNY’s Women Physicians Leadership Academy session on Enhancing Physician Wellness and Wellbeing, taking place tomorrow, March 2. This interactive program will explore strategies to improve work-life balance, mitigate burnout, and support long-term career sustainability. Participants can earn up to three continuing medical education (CME) credits.
The final session in this series, The Importance of Networking, will take place on Saturday, March 15. This program will strengthen professional relationships, create mentorship opportunities, and leverage connections for career advancement.
If you cannot attend the live sessions, they will be available on the MSSNY CME website as enduring material approximately one month after the event.
- March 2 – Enhancing Physician Wellness and Wellbeing – Register Here
- March 15 – The Importance of Networking – Register Here
Take advantage of this opportunity to invest in your career, prioritize your well-being, and connect with fellow women physicians.
Secure Your Financial Future with MSSNY’s Physician Life Income Plan (PLIP) Informational Webinar
On March 5 at 6 pm, join us in discussing the Physician Life Income Plan (PLIP) as a premier member benefit, spotlighted in Forbes and MD News for their approach to retirement planning. PLIP is a tailored financial solution that empowers physicians to maximize tax-deferred growth, enjoy tax-free withdrawals, and protect assets from creditors — all while bridging the retirement gap with unparalleled flexibility and security.
With no contribution limits or early withdrawal penalties, PLIP stands apart from traditional retirement plans. Members can reallocate current investments, such as cash, CDs, or cash value life insurance, into a tax-advantaged vehicle that offers over 80 investment allocation options, including indexes like the S&P 500. All funds in PLIP grow tax-free, are withdrawn tax-free, and pass to beneficiaries tax-free. Register today!
Dial Your Retirement Tax Bracket Below 10%!
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Join MSSNY and Jamie Farmer, CLU, ChFC, NQPA, CLTC, CEPA, AEP, CAP from FSG for an exclusive webinar on March 20 at 7:30 a.m. to discover how physicians can lower their retirement tax bracket to under 10% while keeping their assets liquid and protected.
MSSNY has endorsed FSG’s strategic approach to retirement planning, designed to help physicians reduce taxes without increasing risk or fees. Learn how your retirement income source affects your tax bracket and how proper planning can help you retain more of your hard-earned money while keeping it accessible and secure.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to ensure your retirement income remains tax-free
- Proven strategies to reduce your tax bracket while maintaining liquidity
- Why FSG’s approach doesn’t involve trading restrictions, surrender charges, or unnecessary risks
- How FSG collaborates with your current financial team at no cost
This free educational session will help physicians who plan to spend $200,000 to $1,500,000 in retirement understand how to maximize their financial security and minimize tax liabilities.
Register now to secure your spot!. View our Forbes article here.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take control of your financial future with proven tax-saving strategies tailored for physicians.
College Ave: A Better Student Loan Experience
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The team at College Ave learned from other complicated lending companies and decided to make getting a private student loan for college better. With a customer-friendly experience from application through repayment, they’ll help you find your best college loan in a way you can understand, and they’ll make it fast and easy. Plus, they have the tools and resources to help you succeed and pay for school without worry.
