Representatives of 18 state specialty societies gathered in downtown Raleigh on the afternoon of Sept. 7 to hear a legislative update and discuss their issues with North Carolina Medical Society staff and board members.

The purpose of the yearly legislative summit meeting is to fulfill “the vision of coming together and working together to live up to the motto of Leadership in Medicine,” said Robert “Charlie” Monteiro, MD, of New Bern and immediate past president of NCMS. “When we’re on the same page, we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

The assembly heard from key NCMS Government Affairs staff about tax and Medicaid reform, scope of practice issues and certificate of need bills debated during the recent legislative session. Participants, who included specialty society lobbyists who joined with NCMS on issues of particular interest to their constituents, shared their thoughts and concerns on these and other items.

NCMS staff also reported on their grassroots and political action efforts; the Toward Accountable Care Consortium and Initiative and their work with the North Carolina Medical Board on behalf of physicians. Discussion on the rocky changeover to the new NCTracks Medicaid claims system generated comments from doctors whose practices continue to struggle with the on-going problems with the system.

“We can’t bear the brunt of this [NCTracks],” said Matt Olin, MD, representing the NC Orthopaedic Association.

Discussion also centered on the many changes health care providers are facing and the key role NCMS plays in protecting the professionalism of doctors.