By NYSSOS President Samuel Flemister, MD
The Governor’s address and accompanying book contained a number of measures that are of great interest to the orthopaedic community. Her initiative to focus on helping seniors live healthy and independent lives is an imperative. As NYSSOS members can attest, mobility is the greatest factor in maintaining independence, and helping seniors remain mobile and active is a singular focus of New York’s orthopaedic physicians as New York is home to the fourth largest population of older adults that continues to grow. We are eager to help the Governor succeed.
Other initiatives contained in the Governor’s message that are timely and necessary include proposals to address staff shortages, reform the certificate of need process, as well as proposals to expand insurance coverage.
Perhaps most notable is the Governor’s call to establish a Commission on the Future of Health Care. New York must adapt for the 21st century leveraging team-based care led by physicians, the power of technology and telehealth and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to being part of these important discussions with other stakeholders, which must also address insurance and prior authorization reform and achieving comprehensive medical malpractice reform. These discussions are important as we seek to assure continued access to care for patients, reduce healthcare disparities and strengthen the healthcare workforce, systems and ecosystem.
NYSSOS recognizes the State of the State is the first step followed by the release of the Executive budget proposal and looks forward to discussing these important issues with the Governor and Legislature.
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About NYSSOS: Representing more than 800 orthopaedists across New York State, NYSSOS advocates for orthopaedic surgeons, patients and musculoskeletal health in New York State. NYSSOS is the orthopaedic community’s primary source of information and expertise concerning: legislative/regulatory advocacy (local, state and federal levels); practice trends and change; leadership training for national, state, and local issues and opportunities; assistance with establishing and maintaining a practice; and familiarity with state practice guidelines impacting the profession and patient care. Learn more at www.nyssos.org
