Now that the election results are in, the NCMS stands ready to move forward on your behalf at the NC General Assembly, with the new McCrory administration, in the US Congress and, when necessary, in the courts. 

We extend a big thank you to those NCMS members who contributed time and money to help educate the electorate on questions important to our state’s medical community. Your involvement was, and will continue to be, key to engaging our elected officials and policymakers and helping them grasp our complex issues.

Voters re-elected Justice Paul Newby to the state’s Supreme Court. As rarely happens, the NCMS PAC endorsed candidates for election, including Justice Newby, so we are pleased with this outcome.  Justice Newby has served as a fair and impartial judge, and we are happy that the citizens of NC have valued his prior service and given him a chance to continue.

Our first task at the General Assembly is to educate the large influx of new state legislators on our policy priorities and the issues facing you, our members. Almost 60 percent of General Assembly members will be in their first or second term. NCMS staff will continue to cultivate and forge new relationships on both sides of the aisle, and has already been busy building coalitions with other healthcare organizations to strengthen our positions on scope of practice issues and Medicaid reimbursement among others.

Our work depends on you – consider coming to Raleigh to visit with your legislator for one of our White Coat Wednesdays. Watch for our Calls to Action and send an e-mail or pick up the phone to let your representative know where you stand. Your voice amplifies our message on Jones Street.

Continue to watch the NCMS website and our weekly Bulletin for the latest legislative and regulatory news and what it means to you as a physician.

Robert W. Seligson

Executive Vice President/CEO