The 2011 NCMS Annual Meeting is underway in Raleigh this weekend. Outgoing President John Mangum, MD is welcoming delegates to the House of Delegates and reflecting upon the year’s successes and issuing challenges for the future including improvement to quality and maintenance of the patient-centered medical home.  Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) offers unique model for the state of North Carolina to move forward in coordinated care for both primary care services as well as specialties. 

The development of a statewide Health Information Exchange will also prove meaningful in the future of medicine in North Carolina. Getting the HIE up and running in North Carolina with continue to be a priority of the Medical Society in the coming year to help better serve our patients and their needs in traveling across various points of care.

Finally Dr. Mangum discussed the 2010 Legislative Session with the House of Delegates. The passage of medical liability reform was a great success for the health care community this year, including the override of the Governor’s veto of SB 33 – Medical Liability Reforms. Key features include a cap on non-economic damages and provisions for actual medical evidence.

Dr. Mangum closed his remarks by challenging the physician community to continue to fight to maintain the gains of this year and move the NCMS forward in serving the community and the patients of North Carolina.