Physician Tackles Political Issues
“The greatest health care problem in Pennsylvania is access. It is, in a sense, the perfect storm. Pennsylvania is responsible for the second-highest malpractice premiums in the country, but we are close to last in reimbursement. The cost of practicing medicine is steadily increasing, and each year reimbursements are less. As a result, we’re seeing more and more physicians leave.” – Barry J. Snyder, MD, FAAOS
Motivated by this issue—and others facing Pennsylvania physicians—Dr. Snyder has become a familiar face on the political scene.
He sits on the governing boards of organizations that advocate for physicians in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.—including the Pennsylvania Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons—and contributes to the political action committees of both the State Society and the American Medical Association.
Yet, Dr. Snyder admits that he is not, by nature, a political animal.
“Physicians have always been trained to manage our patients and everything else follows,” Dr. Snyder says.
During his 27-year career, Dr. Snyder has worked hard in the political arena to protect this essential part of being a physician. He said he has seen some improvements on issues like medical liability and patient care but there is much that has not yet been accomplished. He has seen the most success in his own practice.
“I’m a dinosaur. I’m in a solo private practice as an orthopedic specialist, and I have not succumbed to the financial pressures to join a large group or to relinquish my prerogative of spending time with my patients in my office. I don’t see 30 to 40 patients in one afternoon. I believe in the old values of spending time with patients, talking to patients, and that has been my greatest overall sense of personal accomplishment,” Dr. Snyder says.
Last Updated: 11/20/2008