On Oct. 18, the Massachusetts Medical Society held its State of the State’s Health Care 13th Annual Leadership Forum. After the event, MMS president Richard Aghababian, MD, spoke to Healthcare Finance News Editor René Letourneau about the biggest challenges and top-of-mind issues facing Massachusetts’ physicians.
Q: Based on the questions asked during the forum, MMS members appear to be very concerned about reimbursements. Is this currently the number one concern for physicians?
A: Physicians are necessarily concerned about reimbursements, such as the large looming Medicare cut from the (sustainable) growth rate formula, because they have to cover the cost of doing business like any other small business. Young doctors, also, often have very large student loan burdens to pay down.
Q: What other issues are top-of-mind for MMS members?
A: The number one concern for physicians is having the ability to care for their patients in a fair and equitable environment without over-burdensome administrative responsibilities. The well being of their patients, their patients’ families and their own families is what is on their mind.
Q: In his speech, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick touched upon the need for healthcare providers to improve the quality of care while simultaneously lowering costs. What are the best ways for physicians to approach this dual goal?
A: Quality and cost comes from greater efficiency, use of electronic aids and coordinating into a team of healthcare providers, including allied health personnel.
[See also: Gov. Patrick calls healthcare a 'central issue' in Massachusetts]