FSP Attends Florida Medical Association

The Florida Society of Pathologists attended the 2021 Florida Medical Association Annual Meeting and House of Delegates on July 29 through August 1 in Orlando, Florida. The FSP has 3 seats to the delegation. FSP delegates in attendance included Marilyn Bui, MD, PhD, Harvey Feld, MD and Janice McCall, MD.

On Friday, July 29, the FSP attended the Specialty Society Section (SSS) meeting representing the society amongst the 25+ other medical societies in attendance. The SSS meeting kicked off with introductions from the FMA President Michael Patete, MD, remarks from the incoming President Douglas Murphy, Jr, MD and introduction by Jason Goldman, MD, FMA Treasurer who stressed the importance of contributing to the FMA PAC. The SSS addressed specific resolutions brought forward by other specialty societies in attendance and any late resolutions. Future business discussions included ideas presented by the current chair including holding quarterly SSS meetings via teleconference and providing an opportunity for a representative from Florida First Coast Services Options to attend future SSS meetings to allow for specialty societies to have an open forum to address LCD issues. The meeting concluded with an election where the new chair and vice-chair of the SSS were appointed as well as At-Large seats 1, 3 and 5.

On Saturday, July 30, the House of Delegates meeting kicked off with the business proceedings of the Florida Medical Association including outgoing remarks by FMA President Michael Patete, MD and the installation of incoming President Douglas Murphy, Jr., MD. There were various leadership reports including an advocacy report, treasurer’s report, and a PAC report and spirited campaign for FMA PAC donations. After the House of Delegates, the Reference Committee meetings commenced. Reference Committee meetings included:

• Reference Committee I – Health, Education and Public Policy
• Reference Committee II – Finance and Administration
• Reference Committee III – Legislation and Miscellaneous
• Reference Committee IV – Medical Economics

The FSP delegates each attended a Reference Committee meeting to keep watch on the resolutions and testimony and any potential impacts on pathologists.

On Sunday, August 1, the final session of the House of Delegates was held whereby the delegation was able to review the final Reference Committee recommendations and vote on any extracted resolutions. The results of the FMA Board of Governors election and the AMA Delegates election were also announced. The FMA also reported that nearly $200,000 was raised over the weekend for the FMA PAC.

There were three resolutions presented in Reference Committee III that pertained to (1) restrictive covenants, (2) physician non-compete contracts and (3) the corporate practice of medicine which could affect hospital-based pathologists and are being monitored by your delegates for its potential impact. All three resolutions were referred to the FMA Board of Governors for decision. To read more about these specific resolutions click below.

• Resolution 21-310 Restrictive Covenants
• Resolution 21-312 Physician Contract Non-Compete Clause
• Resolution 21-313 Corporate Practice of Medicine

FMA members are able to write to the FMA Board of Governors for futher input and testiomony for any resolutions refereed to the Board. 

email the board.Thank you to the FSP delegates Marilyn Bui, MD, PhD, Harvey Feld, MD and Janice McCall, MD for representing the FSP and supporting physicians and organized medicine at this very important meeting.