Off and running

13 January 2012

Dear colleagues:

We’re off and running for the 2012 General Assembly Session. While our team works year-round on important legislative and policy issues, the General Assembly session represents our most visible advocacy efforts and presents us with an important opportunity to educate our elected representatives.

This week I had the pleasure of attending a reception for Speaker Bill Howell. During the event, I was able to also speak with other legislators in a more relaxed atmosphere and build those relationships. I plan to continue these conversations about the importance of team-based care, definition of surgery and of preventing any cuts to Medicaid provider payments throughout the session by spending my Thursdays in Richmond.

Before I got involved, it seemed like an impossibility to actually sit down with my legislators and talk about issues that are important to medicine and to patients. I wish I had known how easy MSV makes it for us to actively speak out and educate those who have the power to enact new laws. These efforts are particularly important this year with the 21 new legislators sworn in to the General Assembly this week.

MSV has a top-notch lobbying team that is well-respected and trusted in the halls of the General Assembly. However, we cannot underestimate the impact of our personal efforts. A strong showing of white coats each year underscores our commitment to leading health care improvement in the commonwealth.

I invite you to register now for a White Coats on Call day, bring a colleague and make an appointment to talk with your legislators. Government is accessible to each of us and I encourage you to embrace the opportunity to participate.

Regards, 

Hugh M. Bryan III, M.D.
President