News from Medical Society of the State of New York

For more information contact: Lynda Lees Adams, 516-488-6100 Ext. 344, ladams@mssny.org

Physicians Adopt Policies for Improving Healthcare at 202nd Annual Meeting of NY State Medical Society

RYE BROOK, NY (04/21/2008; 1018)(readMedia)-- Physicians from around the state gathered in Rye Brook the weekend of April 11-13 at the 202nd House of Delegates meeting of the Medical Society of the State of New York to formulate policy and to elect new officers.

Leading the roster of new officers was Michael H. Rosenberg, MD, of Westchester County, who was elected president. Other physicians elected were: David T. Hannan, MD (Wayne County) – President-Elect; Leah S. McCormack, MD (Queens) – Vice President; Edward C. Tanner, MD (Monroe) – Secretary; Malcolm D. Reid, MD (New York) – Assistant Secretary; Robert J. Hughes, MD (Saratoga) – Treasurer; Paul A. Hamlin, MD (Nassau) – Assistant Treasurer; Mark L. Fox, MD (Westchester) – Speaker of the House; Jerome C. Cohen, MD (Broome) – Vice Speaker of the House.

The doctors debated the merits of over 80 resolutions. Amongst the policies approved for action were the following:

• MSSNY should endorse the recommendations of MSSNY’s Task Force on Health System Reform, calling for universal access to healthcare coverage.

• MSSNY should oppose the sale of tobacco at any facility where health care is delivered or where prescriptions are filled.

• MSSNY should work to educate the public regarding the increasing threat to the healthcare delivery system caused by excessive health plan market share, profits and executive compensation.

• MSSNY should ask the AMA to seek federal legislation requiring all medications and self-care products to be clearly labeled as to country of origin and to have the parent companies held accountable for the safety of their products.

The not-for-profit Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal professional organization for physicians and, in carrying out its mission, represents the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all.

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