DJP 4-9-2005 AMA Update - Medical Liability Rally in Washington, DC April 20

 

Sorry for the lack of DJP AMA updates for the past month.  Serious computer problem.  Hard drive broke in midst of email transmission.  Much email data lost and computer and new hard drive have not come to an appropriate accomodation with each other.  Just arrived from Missouri State Med Assoc meeting for AMA Board meeting and will turn my computer in today for additional major surgery.

 

Meanwhile, I wanted to share with all of my pen pals throughout the USA the information about the upcoming rally in Washington, DC.  Because of time constraints and a 7 AM meeting this morning, I am clipping an excerpt from the email newsletter of the wonderful communicator, Donna Rovito, of Pennsylvania. 

 

 The driving force for this rally is Dr. Ruth Schultz of New Jersey.

 

Remember, the history of success for meaningful medical liability reform since the 1975 days always occurs when there is a outpouring of grassroots involvement.

 

Hope to see you in Washington, DC on the 20th.

DJP

Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD

AMA Immediate Past-President

 

1....Commentary

MONDAY is the deadline to register a bus for the White Coat Caravan and Rally in Washington DC on April 20th!

If you haven't already made arrangements - why NOT?

CAP has provided updated information about the rally which is in Item 2 - I am honored to join such a distinguished panel of speakers and look forward to meeting the people who organized this amazing event - as well as seeing Dr. Donald Palmisano, AMA Immediate Past President, again.

The doctors in New Jersey have done an AMAZING job of generating physician support for this important event.  I'd like to see more participation from Pennsyvania, though.....

And to anyone on this list in Virginia or Maryland.....where are you? You're the closest - and Virginia's crisis is growing....it won't get any BETTER without your participation, folks....

DBR



2....from the Coalition for Accesible Physicians (CAP)
Overview of April 20th Caravan and Rally to Washington DC

To date, the following states have sent us information on their busloads:

State # of Buses
New Jersey 50
Delaware 4
West Virginia 8
Pennsylvania 5
New York 7
Connecticut 5
Massachusetts 0 Buses, 3 doctors from the hospital
Virginia 0
Maryland 0


Events for the day

Buses will depart Northern New Jersey/New York area at 8:00*.  Be there no later than 7:45!
*New England buses will meet there
Convoy will meet buses from Southern NJ/PA/DE at 10:30 at Walt Whitman Rest Stop
Depart Walt Whitman Rest Stop at 11:00
Convoy will meet buses from DE/PA/WV at Maryland Welcome Center at 1:00
Buses roll into the Capitol at 2 PM
Rally Begins at 2:30


Proposed list of speakers

Introduction by Ruth Schulze, Chair of CAP

Invocation

Dr. Schulze introduces Dr. Palmisano

Speech by Donald Palmisano, MD, Immediate Past President of AMA

Dr. Schulze Introduces Keynote Senate Speaker (to be announced)

Speech by Dr. Denis O' Leary, President of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) to discuss how medical liability insurance crisis affect patient safety

Speech by Dr. Marie Kuffner, California Medical Association, California Anesthesiologist to discuss MICRA laws

Speech by Dr. Greg Saracco, from West Virginia to discuss crisis in their state

Speech by Dr. Mehmet Oz, world-renowned cardiac surgeon on being sued

Speech by Rick Schmidt, Pennsylvania Orthopedic surgeon

Speech by Dr. James Orr, Florida OB/GYN to discuss issues facing the practice

Speech by Bob Franks, former Congressman from New Jersey and Chair of the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey to discuss medical liability insurance effects on pharmaceutical industry

Speech by Donna Rovito, wife of physician, author of Pennsylvania's Disappearing Doctors to discuss generating grassroots networks of physicians

Speech by Dan Olesnicky, husband of medical resident regarding excessive jury awards

Closing speech by Dr. Alan Zaccaria, CAP


White House

Select members will go to the White House to speak with Senior Policy Advisers


Media Outreach

CNBC's Becky Quick will be embedded with Dr. Schulze day of rally and will conduct interviews leading up to the event

Time Magazine interview, Washington DC (4/12)

Bloomberg Radio Interview, Washington DC (4/12)

Associated Press, Washington DC (4/12)

Roll Call (4/4)

The Hill (4/12)