MOA Installs Edward J. Canfield, D.O. As Its 114th President

Huron County Physician Begins Presidency at Annual House of Delegates meeting

LANSING, Mich., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA), represents more than 8,000 osteopathic physicians and students, installed Edward J. Canfield, D.O. as its 114th president during its annual House of Delegates meeting in Dearborn on May 16, 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120517/DC09315)

A family physician, Dr. Canfield works with his wife, Cheryl Canfield, D.O. in Sebewaing, Michigan, where they have practiced for more than 18 years. Dr. Canfield is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), and is a clinical assistant professor with MSUCOM. He is an assistant professor of family practice for Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Canfield is a member and past president of the Eastern Michigan Osteopathic Association and a former board member of the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Dr. Canfield is also the MOA's representative as trustee to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Board.

Dr. Canfield has served on the MOA's Board of Trustees since 2005. In addition to his role on the board, he has served the MOA in a number of capacities, including chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Physician Access and Michigan Medicaid and the President of the Internal Affairs Department.

During Dr. Canfield's message, he said, "It is my great honor and privilege to serve as the 114th President of the Michigan Osteopathic Association."

Dr. Canfield's address focused on service, "I believe that Service is one of man's greatest callings. When I teach medical students and residents I ensure that they realize as physicians we are to serve our patients. We are fortunate that by any standard we are compensated well for what we do, but we are still servants."

The focus of his speech was on the following:

- Cost of Health Insurance: It is "estimated the average cost of a families' health insurance plan by the year 2019… in just seven short years, will be more than $30,000.00 per year… According to U.S. Census for the year 2000, the average Michigan family earned approximately $54,000.00 per year. By the year 2010, the average Michigan family earnings actually dropped to $45,000.00 per year. We cannot expect that Michigan businesses will continue to support this burden or those families will spend three-quarters of their income on health insurance. We must anticipate that a serious change to what health insurance is, and what it will pay, is going to occur within the next few years."

- Michigan Medicaid: "Reduce the number of Medicaid HMO's from 14 to, ideally one or at least fewer; A single drug formulary for all Michigan Medicaid; press for administrative consistencies in the programs; and continue to work on tort reform."

- Affordable Health Care Act: "If the Act remains, however, the Medicaid roles in Michigan are expected to swell by more than one million additional lives… the plan touts a partial solution for the first few years; it is to pay at least primary care physicians at Medicare rates. That should help if you believe that the Federal Government will address the Sustainable Growth Rate, which threatens to cut Medicare rates next year by about one third. That would bring Medicare rates back toward current Medicaid rates."

- Military Service People: "Are you aware that many doctors and hospitals do not accept TRICARE Prime, one of the insurances provided by the federal government to our retired, disabled and active duty service men and women and their families living in remote areas? This has shocked me for years! Recently I inquired at a local hospital, known for its compassionate care, why they did not support our military service people. I was told that they could not afford to see them, as TRICARE Prime for many services, reimburse at less than Michigan Medicaid rates! This is a totally unacceptable way to treat our heroic service men and women and their families!"

The Michigan Osteopathic Association represents more than 8,000 osteopathic physicians and students and promotes osteopathic medicine in Michigan by shaping the health care delivery system to better serve the community. To learn more about the MOA and osteopathic medicine, visit the MOA website at www.mi-osteopathic.org.

What is a D.O.?

D.O.s and M.D.s are the only two groups of physicians fully licensed to prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery, in the United States. They both complete four years of medical school followed by graduate medical education through internship or residency programs typically lasting three to eight years. In addition, D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, providing them with an in-depth knowledge of the ways that illness or injury in one part of the body can affect another.

Contact: Kevin McFatridge  P: (517) 347-1555  Mobile: (517) 599-0357  E: [email protected]

SOURCE Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA)