Pennsylvania's physicians encouraged by Corbett's Healthy Pennsylvania plan

The following is a statement from C. Richard Schott, MD. Dr. Schott is president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED), a statewide medical advocacy organization based in Harrisburg. Dr. Schott is a practicing cardiologist from suburban Philadelphia, who participated in a news conference with Governor Corbett on Sept. 16, 2013, to announce the Healthy PA initiative.

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Governor Corbett announced his "Healthy Pennsylvania" plan, including a proposal to expand access to health care to Pennsylvania's uninsured population. With his announcement the question of how to best cover the state's uninsured moves forward in what promises to be an exciting discussion about health care reform across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania's physicians look forward to working with the governor and other stakeholders to work out the details of this important plan. We are encouraged by its potential to positively impact both Pennsylvania's patients and doctors.

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As part of our eight principles of health system reform, the Pennsylvania Medical Society has long supported the idea that health care coverage should be available and affordable to all Pennsylvanians, and that it should reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency. While most of the attention from today's announcement certainly will focus on the importance of a competitive health insurance market, many other parts of his proposal are also deserving of attention.

Physicians and medical students have sought to address our physician workforce training needs with an increase in residency slots and student loan forgiveness programs that could help improve access to quality care, particularly in underserved locations. The Governor's plan includes meaningful efforts to expand residency slots across the state and assist medical students in paying down their medical school debt by practicing in underserved areas. Both of these actions are critical to assuring that a sufficient number of physicians remain in Pennsylvania to help serve as part of a physician-led, patient centered health delivery team.

Physicians also have expressed concerns about prescription drug abuse and pill-seeking doctor shoppers. The proposed development of a controlled substance database would aid health care teams in determining if a person in their exam room or in the emergency department is drug seeking.

The "Healthy Pennsylvania" plan announced today by Governor Corbett recognizes the need to take positive actions to improve the health of all Pennsylvanians. The Pennsylvania Medical Society applauds the governor's plan and looks forward to continue working with him and other stakeholders to improve the health of all Pennsylvanians.

For further information, quotations, or local contacts for a story on this subject, contact Chuck Moran, Director, Media Relations, Pennsylvania Medical Society, at (717) 558-7820 or [email protected].

The patient-physician relationship has been the priority of the Pennsylvania Medical Society since its founding in 1848. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit the web site at www.pamedsoc.org. Or follow the organization on Twitter @PAMEDSociety. Members of the media are encouraged to also follow @ChuckMoran7.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Medical Society