Page 9 - Delaware Medical Journal - December 2017

PRESIDENT’S PAGE
PRAYUS TAILOR, MD
MSD President Prayus Tailor, MD is a Nephrologist who practices with Nephrology Associates in Newark and Wilmington.
Representing the Most Noble Profession on Earth
Nearly a year has come and gone in the blink of an eye and with that my year serving you as the 173rd
President of our 228-year-old Medical Society of Delaware (MSD) is coming to its end. I must say I started this year with a sense of trepidation over how I would develop expertise on the many issues
that affect physician practice. What has become clear to me over this year is that our MSD physician leaders and MSD staff are here to support our physicians and be creators of the positive change necessary to make physicians’ lives easier.
MSD is THE advocate for Delaware physicians. MSD has been highly engaged in discussions regarding the future of health care delivery while advocating for an environment that values the role of the physician-patient relationship. With the amazing help
of the Byrd Group; our counsel, Mr. Andrew Wilson of Morris James; and
a highly engaged Government Affairs Committee led by Dr. Richard Henderson (our incoming President), MSD has moved from the number four position
to the number two position in terms of lobbying strength at Legislative Hall.
Physicians are asked to question their
own morality when it comes to recent legislative efforts on physician-assisted suicide and the legalization of recreational marijuana. Legislation to legalize physician-assisted suicide and recreational marijuana use gained traction, but failed to be turned into law. MSD came out strongly opposed to these bills. We
stated that physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally inconsistent with the role of a physician. With other stakeholders, we successfully advocated for further study of the impact of legalization of recreational marijuana on public safety.
I know that as physicians we have many advocacy organizations to choose from. While MSD advocates for the positions our membership, it is not lost on us that there are some physician members who do not necessarily agree with all of MSD’s positions. And while these items on which we may disagree can be quite divisive,
the professionalism which embodies our profession and the work of an amazing MSD staff is proudly displayed during these important debates.
During this year, MSD leadership held multiple discussions with hospital
CEOs, medical staff presidents, insurance companies, and state senators regarding the burdensome American Board of Medical Specialty (ABMS) program requirements. While we have seen some movement from ABMS member boards, their failure to address and lack of robust data that indicates MOC participation improves patient opposition to MOC for licensure, medical staff privileging, and participation in insurance payer panels. As we move into 2018, MSD will continue to advocate to get relief for physicians.
Del Med J | December 2017 | Vol. 89 | No. 12
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