Things Are Heating Up
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Colleagues:
This week, both weather and policy have been heating up—literally and figuratively. With temperatures soaring past 90 degrees, we navigated the Suffolk County Gala, the final week of the New York State legislative session, the opening of the AMA House of Delegates, and several critical developments in Washington, D.C.
Suffolk County Gala: Celebrating Leadership and Legacy
The social highlight was the outstanding Suffolk County Medical Society Gala at Harbor by Prime, honoring outgoing President William Sellers, DO, and welcoming incoming President Deborah Blenner, MD. Dr. Sellers is to be commended for his exceptional leadership, having reorganized the society following the loss of two institutional memberships and growing membership by over 200 this year.
Dr. Blenner—whom I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside since our YPS days—is returning for her second term as County Society President, having also served in Queens. I look forward to collaborating with her this coming year. Special thanks to Nicole Gerberg, Executive Director of the Suffolk County Medical Society, for orchestrating a well-sponsored, well-attended event at a stunning venue.
Legislative Action in Albany
As of this writing, the New York State Senate is debating the Medical Aid in Dying bill following its passage in the Assembly. Our Vice Speaker, Jane Simpson, DO, was recently interviewed by PBS affiliate WMHT. This legislation, endorsed by our House of Delegates in 2023 and reaffirmed in 2024, includes key safeguards for physician opt-out.
At the same time, we are actively opposing S4423/A6063, the so-called Wrongful Death/Personal Injury Giveaway Bill. This proposal—vetoed three times before—would increase medical liability insurance premiums by an estimated 40%. It has passed the Senate and is now in Assembly committee. I urge all members to use our grassroots platform and contact their Assemblymembers to vote no.
We also continue to strongly support the Gold Card Prior Authorization bill, as well as A.3789 (Weprin)/S.7297 (Hoylman-Sigal), which will help to streamline the prior authorization process that delays patients’ access to needed treatment and medications. Please continue to take action and send a letter through MSSNY’s Grassroots Action Center to ask your state legislator to urge that this bill be brought up for a vote THIS SESSION.
For any other legislative proposals, please coordinate with the Physician Advocacy Legislative Committee, chaired by President-Elect Mark Adams, MD and staffed by Moe Auster for consideration and prioritization.
AMA House of Delegates: Advocacy on a National Stage
The AMA House of Delegates convenes tonight in Chicago. I’ll be joining Chair of Delegation Greg Pinto and Vice Chair Louise Auguste to refocus the AMA on urgent issues affecting New York physicians. As James L Madara, MD, retires, we welcome Ron Whyte, MD—former WebMD CEO and longtime AMA advocate—as the new CEO. We and other “Big Five” states will meet with him to address gaps in messaging and action on Medicare/Medicaid payment adequacy, scope-of-practice issues, IDR, PBM abuses, and prior authorization reform. A united House of Medicine is essential.
Federal Challenges: The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBB)
Elon Musk’s latest political maneuvers threaten to derail the OBBB, much as he disrupted the prior reconciliation bill that could have offered modest improvements to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. As I noted last week, MSSNY seeks refinement in this legislation due to its projected $710 billion reduction in medical care payments over 10 years, and its provision barring states from regulating AI use in healthcare for a decade—potentially enabling insurers to automate denials of care, among other problematic aspects. We need physician payment tied to MEI to support the private practice of physicians, the most cost-effective providers of patient care, along with assuring adequate reimbursement to employed physicians as well. At this point MSSNY is fighting for as much reimbursement for physicians as we can, given the current complex and fast-moving reconciliation process.
We are also frankly disturbed with one senator’s recent statement that “we’re all going to die.” Such rhetoric flies in the face of MSSNY’s fundamental belief: healthcare is a basic human right, and we must work to ensure patients live long, healthy lives supported by timely, quality care.
Supporting No Surprises Enforcement
MSSNY has signed onto a letter in support of The No Surprises Enforcement Act (S5535), introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall, MD, and developed by the American College of Emergency Physicians. This bill aims to strengthen penalties for health plans and insurers that violate balance billing protections—aligning with MSSNY’s advocacy for fairness in physician reimbursement.
Having assumed the MSSNY Presidency during these “interesting times,” I welcome your feedback on how we can shape a stronger, more responsive organization. Please consider contributing to mssnypac.org to support these ongoing advocacy efforts.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our profession and to the patients we serve.
All the best,
David Jakubowicz, MD, FACS
MSSNY President
