GLMS News is a monthly publication of the Greater Louisville Medical Society 101 W . Chestnut Street Louisville , KY 40202 ( 502 ) 589-2001 Fax ( 502 ) 581-9022 www . glms . org
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GLMS NEWS STAFF
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MEMBERSHIP STATUS
As of December 2016 , active GLMS membership numbered 1,929 .
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REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY PAVES WAY FOR TORT REFORM POSSIBILITIES
The November 2016 elections contributed to a surge of Republican legislators in the Kentucky House of Representatives : 64 to be precise , compared to just 36 Democrats , and enough for a Republican supermajority to be present in both the House and Senate .
This shift allows a piece of legislation that has been important to physicians for many years the potential to pass in a major way . Tort reform , also known as medical liability reform , is the primary health care related legislative focus for the 2017 session and what changes take place will depend on how many physicians , community leaders and Kentucky residents get involved .
GLMS and the KMA have been pushing for Tort Reform for many years now , advocating that medical liability and lawsuit reform will create a fairer climate for health care providers . The legislation is also attractive to groups such as the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce because it could mean a more robust health care system and business environment for the entire state .
It ’ s possible that physicians and lobbyists will push for the reform to come through a constitutional amendment , which must be voted on by the public in even-numbered years . If the amendment proposal receives approval from both houses of Congress , look for a massive public education push to take place in the next 18 months .
GLMS President John Roberts , MD , said in his January Louisville Medicine article , “ Over half of the states in our country have enacted tort reform , many changing their constitutions to do so . Two of our neighbors , Indiana and Tennessee , have done so and now are more attractive locations for businesses and doctors . … Our citizens , senators , representatives and governor need to be educated and convinced that reform is needed .”
In their Winter 2017 newsletter , KMA also noted legislative priorities of smoking cessation and domestic violence reporting .
These goals follow two years of significant medical legislation passing such as fair contracting and maintenance of certification policies . This year , as much as any other , will need to see all hands on deck in order to make tort reform possible . For information on how to get involved with the GLMS Policy & Advocacy Team , call Onvia McDaniel at 502-736-6302 .
We ' re
Moving !
NEW ADDRESS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 30
328 EAST MAIN ST . LOUISVILLE , KY 40202
Email & phone numbers will remain the same
GLMS MISSION - Promote the science , art and profession of medicine ; Protect the integrity of the patient-physician 2 relationship ; Advocate for the health and well-being of the community ; Unite physicians regardless GLMS of NEWS practice JANUARY setting to 2017 achieve these ends .