President Letters - Dr. Mills 2012

Guest Editorial: The Bloom and the Rose

Daniel Lieberman, MD

By: Daniel M. Lieberman, MD

It just feels like it’s harder than it should be to be a good doctor these days.

Part of the issue is definitely the changing landscape. Many of us are transitioning to an employed practice model. Healthcare continues to cost more every year while we get paid less for doing the same work. Even the hospitals - which we depend on for the care of our patients - are clearly in financial trouble due to cuts in AHCCCS enrollment. The Supreme Court may throw out legislation that will transform how we do our job every day. Unless, of course, they don’t. Or unless the other political party does it first. It’s reached the point that the only thing that is certain about healthcare is uncertainty. This kind of turbulence doesn’t fly very well with most of us doctors.

Call for “Parsimonious Care”: Good Stewardship of Medical Resources or a Step Towards Rationing of Care?

Michael R. Mills, MD, MPH

Just a few of the many challenges facing physicians today have been expressed in my previous editorials, including the need for unity and solidarity in the defense of our profession, evolving employment models and business relationships (ACO’s), profiteering by others in the medical industrial complex, and remaining questions about the impact and legality of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Putting the “Profession” back into the Profession of Medicine

Michael R. Mills, MD, MPH

I met Dr. Lawrence Shapiro for the first time in the summer of 1999, although his exemplary reputation preceded our meeting by many years. Returning home to practice gastroenterology in central Phoenix, I quickly recognized my good fortune to be joining Dr. Shapiro and his partners in a group where he had practiced his art in the healing science of Medicine for over 40 years. Even in the first few moments of conversing with Dr. Shapiro, it was abundantly clear to me that he completely manifested the role and responsibilities bestowed upon a physician by our community

The Medical Industrial Complex: Understanding the Business of Medicine

Michael R. Mills, MD, MPH

In my January’s President’s Page I raised the need for unity and solidarity as we assert our proper position with other stakeholders at the table impacting healthcare reform, needing to know who has been at the helm and steering our industry into precarious waters. While this review is not comprehensive, understanding the business of healthcare is prerequisite for physicians to positively impact the system in which we not only dedicate our professional careers, but where we and our loved ones must also navigate as patients.

MCMS Stands Unified in Solidarity to Support Our Profession

Michael R. Mills, MD, MPH

I am honored to have the opportunity to lead our local, grassroots professional organization into its 120th year of service to our community. The Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS) Board and I would like to express our most sincere gratitude to immediate past-president Dr. Nathan Laufer for his exemplary leadership and courage to boldly address pertinent issues impacting physicians in a comprehensive, intelligent and eloquent manner. We are indebted to Dr. Laufer for setting in motion a renaissance within our organization, which has included strategic planning, re-invigoration of our legislative and advocacy efforts, and addressing the needs of our membership.