News from Medical Society of the State of New York

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NYS Medical Society Applauds Attorney General Cuomo for Negotiating Fair Dr. Ranking Agreement with Empire

LAKE SUCCESS, NY (11/15/2007; 1452)(readMedia)-- Robert Goldberg, DO, President of the Medical Society (MSSNY) of the State of New York made the following comments at the press conference held by NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to announce the agreement he has negotiated with Empire BlueCross BlueShield to assure that any future physician ranking programs set up by the health insurer are accurate, transparent and accountable.

“I am here on behalf of the Medical Society of the State of New York. I am president of this organization that represents the doctors who are being ranked.

I want to thank our Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, for taking the national lead in patient protection . . . for being the first to recognize and correct the insurance industry’s attempt to steer patients to physicians, based on what the delivery of care costs, rather than on the quality and the nature of the care being delivered.

Every patient is different, with needs that are different, requiring care that is different. So too are physicians different. It is important that a proper match be made between the needs of the patient and the background, skills and experience of the physician. Such a match requires accurate information.

We share the Attorney General’s fears that health insurance plans are ranking on cost alone and applaud his attempt to repair the process.

We are confident that he will work to see that his intentions come true: Quality, Responsibility, Accountability – all to benefit the patients of New York.

We hope that the rest of the country is watching.”

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