The NCMS PAC Member Appreciation Luncheon was held last weekend in conjunction with the NCMS Annual meeting. The group was honored to hear from United States Senator Richard Burr, North Carolina State Senator Bill Purcell, MD , and North Carolina State House Representative Bob England, MD . Speaking to a full house, Sen. Burr opened the discussion by focusing on the reform proposals being considered in Washington, with an emphasis on current developments surrounding the fix to Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula (SRG). Sen. Burr suggested that the passage of any significant reform by the Senate seemed to be becoming increasingly difficult.
Sen. Purcell and Rep. England, two of the three physicians currently serving in the North Carolina General Assembly, addressed the group on the state’s current operating budget and, in turn, how budget shortfalls are affecting the Medicaid program. Sen. Purcell gave the group a grim picture of the real cuts that had to be put in place this year because of a 14% decrease in state funds. Both legislators stressed the importance of regular physician involvement in the legislative process. “In turbulent times such as these,” Representative England said, “it is a necessity that you are discussing these important issues directly with your legislators.”
The NCMS PAC Board would like to again thank Sen. Burr, Sen. Purcell, and Rep. England for their participation in the luncheon and for their service to the state of North Carolina. You can help support the NCMS PAC in 2010. Visit https://www.compassionatecarenc.org/pac to join today!
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