August 21, 2018 Issue 63

A Time to Reflect and Look Forward

I’d like to thank the KMA staff for all their help this year, as well as the 7,000-plus members of the Association for the opportunity to serve as your President. I know my successor, Bruce Scott, M.D., will continue carrying the torch for medicine as President, and my hope is that as many physicians as possible will join him and continue to be engaged with our work. With time flying by so quickly, it’s imperative that we never let up fighting for physicians and patients in Kentucky.

Kentucky Supreme Court Hears Arguments in
Medical Review Panels Case
The Kentucky Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the constitutionality of the Medical Review Panels law on Wednesday, August 8. The law, passed in 2017 by the Kentucky General Assembly and signed by Governor Bevin, is the first meaningful tort reform legislation enacted in a generation.

The law was challenged in Franklin Circuit Court, and in October 2017 Judge Phil Shepard found it to be unconstitutional. The Bevin administration appealed the ruling directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court, which accepted the case on a somewhat expedited basis. KMA has participated in this legal action from the start and filed a brief with the Kentucky Supreme Court, along with the American Medical Association (AMA), supporting the constitutionality of the medical review panel law. Other groups also filed briefs in support, including the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities, and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

KMA’s brief described the need for more physicians in Kentucky, as well as a better legal climate for physicians to practice. The legislature intended for the law to address that need. Kentucky currently ranks 43rd out of 50 states for its legal liability climate.

The Court is expected to hand down a ruling in the next few months. 
KMA Congratulates 50-Year Physician Micheal B. Minix, Sr., M.D.
Micheal Minix Sr., M.D., is celebrating 50 years of practicing medicine. KMA is recognizing his monumental accomplishment along with 58 of his peers at the KMA Leadership Dinner at the 2018 Annual Meeting on Sat., August 25.

He recently shared his thoughts on being a KMA member, organized medicine, the past 50 years and the next 50 years.

KMA thanks these 50-year physicians who have cared for patients and served in leadership roles to improve health outcomes and access to quality care for half a century.

Beyond the White Coat Spotlight: Robert H. Couch, M.D., MBA

When he's not in his white coat, you can find KMA member Robert H. Couch, M.D. , piloting hot air balloons. Dr. Couch and over 35 physicians will display their talents at KMA’s Beyond the White Coat gallery at the 2018 KMA Annual Meeting.  

Photo: Robert Couch, M.D., shares his love of hot air ballooning with his daughter Mary Claire.

MEMBER NEWS
Caloia Discusses HIV

KMA member Lori Caloia, M.D. , medical director of Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness, was featured in Medical News in a story about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Dashti Finds Treatment for Brain Disorder

KMA member Shervin Dashti, M.D. , was featured in the Courier-Journal for finding a breakthrough treatment for a rare brain disorder.
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