Medicare , Medicaid and private insurance companies continue to be scrutinized and payment is often lowered or denied . There is more intrusion by corporations and government . The courts dictate how doctors can practice medicine . The threat of malpractice lawsuits has led to billions of dollars added to health care due to defensive medicine practices . The demographics of physicians practicing in the U . S . continue to change rapidly . Each physician has interests and concerns that are particular to their employment status , specialty , sex , nationality , region , etc . All of those factors have contributed to the importance for physician participation in advocacy .
All physicians must continue to advocate for our profession . This involves systems advocacy , a collective effort to address the interests of a group or change local , state or national laws that will support the medical profession and the interests of patients ’ health care concerns ). If we make a collective effort to work with the other stakeholders regarding the changes in health care , then we remain the leaders for health care advocacy .
So how can physicians advocate for our profession ? This can only be accomplished collectively through organized medicine . Our physician led organizations to include the AMA ( American Medical Association ), NMA ( National Medical Association ), KMA ( Kentucky Medical Association ), GLMS ( Greater Louisville Medical Society ), specialty medical societies , among others have taken the lead in advocating for physician concerns at the national , state and local levels . Physicians can start by paying dues to these organizations . This allows for the necessary funds needed by the leaders of these organizations to promote advocacy interests that are critical to physicians . Physicians can be active participants by serving on committees , attending conferences and seeking leadership roles in these organizations . Also , physicians should contact their congressmen and senators to discuss legislation that is pertinent to physicians ’ and patients ’ health care concerns . All physicians should encourage our colleagues to participate in organized medicine . Physician involvement is critical to address the major concerns that affect patients and physicians as heath care in the U . S . continues to become more complex .
In conclusion , there are numerous stakeholders in the U . S . health care system . Each has a voice as to how medicine is practiced . But we as physicians should continue to be the leaders in advancing laws , policies , procedures and regulations that affect our profession and our patients . We must utilize our expertise and professional experience to advocate for our profession and the best health care for our patients .
Dr . Hargett is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in private practice .
Richard Spear , MD , Memorial Essay Contest 2025
GUIDELINES
THEMED ESSAY CONTEST : All entries must be original , unpublished writing intended solely for publishing in Louisville Medicine . Essays must be pertinent to the following theme : “ My Medical Influencer .”
LENGTH : 800 to 2,000 words DEADLINE : Saturday , March 1 , 2025
PRIZE : $ 1,125 for practicing and retired ; $ 1,125 for physicians in-training
“ My Medical Influencer ”
FORMAT : Microsoft Word or Pages document . Please include your name , entry category , essay title and contact information ( judges are blinded to authors ).
SUBMISSION : Send via email to Kathryn Vance at kathryn . vance @ glms . org .
4 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE