NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Chip Baggett is educating western North Carolina physicians about efforts to encourage legislators to override the veto of SB 33-Medical Liability Reforms. Town Hall meetings are taking place Tuesday, July 12 in Asheville and Greenville.

Baggett encouraged physicians to take this critical effort to the finish line. “I’ve heard that physicians are frustrated by the override,” he said. “Now is NOT the time to get tired. Now is the time to carry this legislation to victory for physicians and their patients.”

The NC General Assembly is returning to Raleigh to consider business including potential overrides of Governor Beverly Perdues’ vetoes.  SB 33 – Medical Liability Reforms was vetoed on July 1. The NC Senate is expected to consider an override this week, with the House of Representives following during the last week of July. 

It is vitally important that NC legislators hear from the medical community about the importance of reform. Grassroots Physician Action is needed to engage contacts by physicians, hospitals, and business community leaders.  How?  Go to the NCMS website at www.ncmedsoc.org and click the CAPWIZ link at the top right- hand corner of the webpage to enter your home address and create an automatic email to your legislators.

Questions at the Town Hall Meeting were very specific about local legislators and their positions on SB 33. Physicians in attendance were very knowledgable about their local delegation.  NCMS Regional Director John Reynolds, MD, attended from Shelby and was impressed with the level of engagement. “In my opinion this is the  most important legislative issue in my 25 years of medical practice. I hope my colleagues statewide will respond with immediate, swift contact with the NC General Assembly,” he said.  “We need you,” said Baggett.  “Please take action, and spread the word among your colleagues.”