WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL
The new year brings many things: hope, good health for all (hopefully), winter cold (sigh), and reminders to renew various subscriptions and memberships. One of those renewal reminders comes from the Medical Society of Delaware (MSD). And while many will happily send in their renewal, others may hesitate and wonder, “What have you done for me lately? Get with it….let me know!” Many of you may remember this from the Janet Jackson song of the same name. This came to me out of the clear blue the other day and I want to let you know!
As I begin my second year as President of MSD, it has been amazing to me to know all the activities, events, and educational and political work with which MSD has been involved. The list seems to grow daily. Among other things, MSD has been front and center on COVID-19 issues and communications by way of a recent Q and A with Dr. Rick Hong, Medical Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. Our newest committees (Environmental Health Subcommittee and the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) have been very active on issues affecting members and our communities throughout the state today. Due to the work of the Environmental Health Subcommittee, MSD has signed on to an American Thoracic Society (ATS) Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). This supports the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determination that carbon dioxide is a pollutant and can be regulated under the authority of the Clean Air Act. The Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been active to better understand the member makeup of MSD, and we actively seek the ideas and views of those not aligned with MSD. A diverse organization makes for a more dynamic one, and we welcome any and all views and opinions.
MSD has also been front and center on the elimination of the estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) “race correction.” At its Annual Meeting in November 2021, the MSD Council approved a resolution supporting the need to eliminate this correction that is commonly used. Since that time, MSD has been in touch with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, the larger diagnostic labs in our state, about their progress to eliminate the factor as well. I am happy to share that you will see changes in the future on your patients’ lab reports that will not include a race coefficient for eGFR. This is a first step in addressing health equity to improve health and the lives of communities of color.
MSD continues to be active on the primary care front. The Delaware General Assembly passed legislation to increase Delawareans’ access to high-quality, affordable health care through a series of reforms that will refocus Delaware’s health care system on primary care and improvements in value. (Advances in Primary Care Reform Made Possible by Legislature - State of Delaware News). However, since primary care offices would not see the benefits of this legislation until 2023, it was determined that other ways of moving payments forward would require an aggressive approach. Various members from MSD and primary care offices met virtually and discussed the situation with Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. After hearing about many of the issues raised, Mr. Navarro has taken action to follow up with other critical stakeholders to address these challenges. Discussions are underway that will, hopefully, lead to payments to primary care that will begin in 2022 and not 2023 as has been planned. This is the power of hearing what you need and want and pushing ahead for you!
This week I met with the MSD committee chairs to discuss how we can make our committees more vibrant and active. I believe when our members are actively engaged on a committee we all benefit. In making our committees more than just something in which to just show your face, we need to put into action the creative thoughts of those on the committees. Chairs can go far in actively assigning topics to be researched and reported back to the committee. Some of these topics may become resolutions - frameworks for work to be done! Committees and their members, as well as members at large, can and should sponsor resolutions. There are many issues with which we need to fight for and become involved.
In reality, it’s really not, “What have you done for me lately?” It’s about how we can all work together for the benefit of all. We have made and continue to make significant headway in many areas. However, as I’m sure you would agree, we have far to go. And though change can be frustrating, irritating, and even maddening among other things, it propels us forward so we can be better. MSD is fighting for you. Make your voice heard….continue to let us know how you feel. We listen, we plan, we make change happen. Be part of the change.
Have a great 2022!
All the best,
Matthew J. Burday, DO
President
