Physicians for Patients: Honoring Patient Advocate Day
On May 8, 2007, Mark A. Piasio, MD, MBA, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, participated in the National Patient Advocate Day at the state capitol. The following is a short speech delivered by Dr. Piasio, who is a practicing orthopedic surgeon from Dubois, Pa.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society is honored to stand here today with so many great people working to address important health care issues such as access, quality, and patient safety.
Patient advocacy has always been a cornerstone of our organizational mission, and will always remain as such. In fact, national research through the Harris Poll indicates that the public has a great deal of trust in their doctors, placing physicians at the top of the trust ladder. Our very own research at the Pennsylvania Medical Society suggests that patients want doctors to be their advocate. This is a position we plan to earn each and every day. We were at the forefront of patient advocacy with the Merit Program, PHC4, KePRO, and the Patient Safety Authority. We remain clinically based, value driven, and patient focused.
Pennsylvania has been a leader in the nation in patient advocacy, yet there still remains cause for concern. Depending upon which research data you use, our state has between 900,000 to 1.2 million uninsured residents. Though the percentage of uninsured in Pennsylvania is one of the lowest in the nation, it still remains unacceptable. There is also a growing number of Pennsylvanians who rely on public health care programs. And while we work together to solve this challenge, we must also work on issues such as obesity, smoking, and other lifestyle choices that can lead to serious health issues including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease to name a few.
Unfortunately, these high-cost, often preventable diseases are health care cost drivers that create a vicious cycle making health insurance, or access, more and more expensive, and now almost unaffordable. We are delighted that the Governor has taken these healthcare issues seriously and demands solutions this second term, and we appreciate his past efforts. I am sure these problems are no surprise to Secretary Leavitt and those at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as well.
As we advocate for our patients, we can’t forget that we must be their ombudsmen not only when they visit our offices, clinics, and hospitals, but also everyday through all means possible. Whether it’s a trip to see the governor or a meeting with the local media, I always remind myself that I became a doctor to make a difference in the lives of my patients. We remain dedicated to quality health care, value purchasing, scientific advancement, population health, and utmost patient safety. As we work to open the doors to health care access and healthier living, the Pennsylvania Medical Society is proud to be, first and foremost, a patient advocate. Thank you.
Last Updated: 11/14/2007