Government Relations Update

November 1, 2004

Medical Liability
Four states have included Medical Liability measures on ballots.
State House passes Mcare abatement.

Other News
Health System wins Advocacy Award from the Delaware Valley Health Care Council..

Medical Liability
Four states have included Medical Liability measures on ballots. Florida, Nevada, Oregon, and Wyoming will consider ballot questions dealing with medical liability issues in tomorrow's election. The measures range from limits on non-economic damages to taking away licenses of physicians who have been found guilty of medical malpractice three times.

State House passes Mcare abatement. House Bill 2856, extending the Health Care Provider Retention Program (Mcare abatement), was passed by the Pennsylvania State House by a vote of 192-4. All members present voted in favor of the bill with the exception of Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Greene), Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny), Rep. Ken Ruffing (D-Allegheny), and Rep. Mike Veon (D-Beaver). With the legislative and judicial reforms from 2002 expected to take three to five years to have a positive impact on the medical liability crisis in Pennsylvania, this extension gives physicians and hospitals much needed short-term financial relief. Letters were sent by Health System physician and administrative leadership at each entity thanking House members who voted in favor of the Mcare extension. In addition, letters were sent to Senate members urging them to vote in favor of this legislation when it reaches the Senate later this month after the election.

Other News
Health System wins Advocacy Award from the Delaware Valley Health Care Council. Credited for our outstanding advocacy job on critical health care policy and medical education issues in Harrisburg and Washington, the Health System was awarded an Advocacy Action Award for 2004. Alan Rosenberg and Michelle Volpe were at the DVHC's annual meeting to accept the award on behalf of the Health System. This advocacy award recognizes the significant effort of our faculty, staff and leadership on many important advocacy and grassroots efforts over the past year. Thank you all for supporting these campaigns!

If you would like a copy the most recent listing of RFAs, notices, and program announcements relating to federal research funding opportunities prepared by the University Office of Government, Community and Public Affairs, please email Shelly at Kryciam@uphs.upenn.edu

The Government Relations Weekly Update is provided by the
Office of Government Relations of the University of Pennsylvania Health System

Shelly Krycia or Alan N. Rosenberg
Government Relations Office
University of Pennsylvania Health System
2021 Penn Tower/4385
Phone: 215-349-5136
Fax: 215-662-3910

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