MSSNY PULSE

Legislative Wins and Warnings:
What Physicians Need to Know

Friday, July 18, 2025
MSSNY Member Dr. Chris Kjolhede’s Research Links School-Based Health Centers to Reduced Student Absenteeism

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MSSNY member and Otsego County Delegate Dr. Chris Kjolhede, MD, MPH, is helping to reshape rural pediatric care through his recently published research in JAMA Network Open. The study, conducted with colleagues from Bassett Research Institute and Cornell University, reveals a strong link between school-based health centers and decreased chronic absenteeism among K-12 students, especially in elementary schools, high-poverty areas, and wealthier communities with resource disparities.

Dr. Kjolhede highlights that children with access to in-school medical care are less likely to be sent home for minor illnesses. These centers empower staff to treat symptoms on site, minimizing unnecessary absences while teaching healthy habits. The impact is particularly significant for working-class families who cannot afford to take time off or lack transportation to pick up a sick child at midday.

With over 7,000 students enrolled across 22 school-based health centers in four Central New York counties, the Bassett program is a powerful example of how rural health access can directly improve educational outcomes. Dr. Kjolhede emphasizes that such programs require community commitment and philanthropic support to maintain services at no cost to families.

MSSNY proudly recognizes Dr. Kjolhede’s dedication to pediatric care and public health innovation. His work demonstrates the transformative power of local leadership and data-driven advocacy. Join MSSNY and be part of a community that uplifts meaningful change across New York.

MLMIC Medical Professional Liability Insurance

Dr. Adolph Meyer: Championing Merit and Excellence in Modern Medicine

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In the latest installment of MSSNY’s Resilience in Practice series, Dr. Adolph Meyer shares his unwavering belief in upholding excellence in medicine through merit-based physician selection. His dedication to prioritizing skill, integrity, and clinical competence reflects a deep commitment to delivering the highest standards of patient care. Dr. Meyer’s leadership serves as an inspiring example for physicians across New York, reinforcing MSSNY’s mission to elevate quality and equity in healthcare.

His story reminds us that excellence is cultivated through accountability, training, and a shared commitment to the profession. MSSNY proudly celebrates Dr. Meyer’s contributions and invites all physicians to join our Minority Affairs Section to support colleagues who share this vision. Share your own story, advocate for merit, and strengthen the future of medicine—together.

Complimentary Financial Review – A Member-Only Benefit

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As a valued member of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), you’re entitled to a FREE comprehensive financial review—exclusively designed for physicians.

Whether you’re planning for retirement, managing investments, or optimizing tax strategies, this personalized review will help ensure your financial health matches your medical success.

✅ Tailored to physicians’ unique financial challenges
✅ Retirement planning & investment analysis
✅ Tax-efficient strategies & risk management
✅ 100% confidential, 100% complimentary

🔒 No cost. No obligation. Just professional insight from experienced advisors who specialize in working with physicians.

📞 Book your free review today!
Call: (631) 457-2037
Email: lenny.marzigliano@lpl.com

Offered exclusively to MSSNY members by Lenny Marzigliano, Vice President – Investments / Wealth Advisor

Sellers Insurance

MSSNY Members: Score Big with Exclusive 2025 Mets & Yankees Ticket Discounts

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MSSNY members experience the best of New York baseball with three exclusive ticket offers just for you:

  1. New York Mets 2025 Games:
    Create unforgettable moments with friends and family at Citi Field! MSSNY members enjoy special discounts on select Mets games. Seats are limited, so grab yours early.
  2. Yankees Healthcare Appreciation Part 2:
    Back by popular demand! Celebrate healthcare heroes at Yankee Stadium during exclusive appreciation nights. Purchase your discounted tickets now before they’re gone.
  3. All Other Yankees 2025 Games:
    Can’t attend the appreciation nights? No problem. Use code MSSNY to receive up to 50% off select regular season Yankees games throughout the year.

Take advantage of these limited-time offers and enjoy America’s pastime with your MSSNY membership benefits!

2025 Legislative Wins and Warnings: What New York Physicians Must Know Now

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New York physicians secured critical victories in the 2025 state legislative session, with the final $254 billion budget excluding several deeply concerning proposals, including cost shifts in Excess Medical Malpractice coverage, Medicaid appeals restrictions, and unsupervised physician assistant practice. MSSNY advocacy helped protect vital programs like the Committee for Physicians’ Health and achieved a $50 million boost to Medicaid payments. Additionally, bills to support mental health parity, lung cancer screening coverage, hospital closure transparency, and physician safety in emergency departments all advanced.

However, looming threats remain. A liability expansion bill, vetoed three times before, has resurfaced, and federal Medicaid cuts could upend state funding. MSSNY urges members to remain engaged, contact Governor Hochul, and prepare for ongoing legislative battles. Physicians interested in shaping future reforms or advocating for patient care are encouraged to join MSSNY.

Urge Governor to Veto Legislation to Expand Surgical Scope of Podiatrists

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Physicians are urged to contact Governor Hochul to request that she veto S.6693-B/A.4613-B, legislation, which passed at the very end of the Session that threatens patient safety by significantly expanding the scope of surgical practice for podiatrists without ensuring adequate training, oversight, or patient protections.  MSSNY has joined with the New York State Society of Orthopedic Surgeons and several other specialty societies to oppose this legislation.

There are a number of serious concerns with this bill but the greatest concern is its   authorization of podiatrists to perform partial and total ankle replacement (TAR), a high-risk procedure that is not required in core podiatric residency training. TAR is one of the most technically demanding procedures in surgery, with significantly higher complication and revision rates when performed by low-volume or inadequately trained surgeons. The complexity and risk of this procedure demand training and oversight consistent with orthopedic surgical pathways.

Other concerning provisions include:

  • Extending operative authority for podiatrists to soft tissue of the leg below the tibial tuberosity .
  • Expanding wound care privileges to areas above the ankle, using vague “contiguity” language without required with vascular or plastic surgery, even though such wounds often involve systemic disease and require multidisciplinary coordination

Please send a letter to Governor Hochul today.

Urge Governor to Veto Latest Wrongful Death Bill and Preserve Patient Access to Healthcare

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Despite the fact that Governor Hochul has vetoed legislation three times that would greatly expand damages awardable in wrongful death actions and dramatically increase our already high liability insurance premiums, near-identical legislation (S4423/A6063) has once again passed the Senate and Assembly.

Thank you for your previous grassroots contacts urging a veto.  However, with the bill again to be delivered for her consideration, it is imperative for physicians to again Urge the Governor to Veto the Latest Wrongful Death Bill and Preserve Patient Access to Healthcare and urge that any legislation to update New York’s wrongful death law be balanced to also bring down our extraordinary medical liability costs.

Please remind the Governor that this legislation is fundamentally at odds with the policy efforts of many who seek to protect and expand patient access to care. Moreover, it is even more untenable given the huge cuts to New York’s healthcare system as a result of the reconciliation bill from out of Washington that will greatly increase New York’s uninsured population and creation several billion dollar Budget gap.

MSSNY President: Federal Cuts “Devastating” to N.Y. Health Care

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The impact of the new federal budget on New York’s health care system is projected to be severe, destabilizing care and costing providers $13 billion annually, with an estimated 1.5 million New Yorkers expected to lose health insurance, straining hospitals and emergency services. Medical Society of the State of New York President Dr. David Jakubowicz says the rollback “will have devastating effects for maintaining an affordable and sustainable health care system in New York … and strips away the safety net from millions of New Yorkers.”

Full Story: Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (tiered subscription model) (7/13)

MSSNY President, David Jakubowicz, MD Discusses his Vision for MSSNY on MLMIC’s “The Verdict” Podcast

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On the latest episode of MLMIC’s “The Verdict,” host Tammie Smeltz speaks with Dr. David Jakubowicz, President of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY), exploring his longstanding commitment to organized medicine, the vital partnership between MLMIC and MSSNY, and the evolving healthcare landscape in New York. Dr. Jakubowicz also shares his goals to strengthen both clinical and legal support for physicians statewide. Listen to the full podcast here.

CMS-1500 Mandate August 1 Deadline: What NY Physicians Need to Know

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New York physicians treating workers’ compensation patients must prepare for a critical regulatory shift. Effective August 1, 2025, the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board will require all CMS-1500 forms to be submitted electronically via a Board-approved submission partner. Failure to comply may result in non-payment, as payers will be permitted to deny reimbursement for paper submissions.

Each individual provider, not just the practice, must comply. MSSNY urges members to act now to prevent disruption to claims and ensure timely payments. Some approved partners can convert paper forms to electronic formats on your behalf, offering a transitional solution. Practices currently working with a clearinghouse should confirm if it is integrated with an approved submission vendor.

To help offset costs, providers may use CPT code 99080, reimbursable up to $1 per bill, as long as it’s used correctly. The Board will host free webinars through July to guide providers on the mandate and answer questions.

For full details and compliance resources, visit wcb.ny.gov/CMS-1500. MSSNY remains committed to helping you navigate regulatory changes—join today for tools, advocacy, and expert support.

Questions? Email CMS1500@wcb.ny.gov.

MSSNY Committee for Physician Health

Learn More About Efforts to Streamline Health Information Exchange in New York

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Join us for the August 6 Webinar to learn more about New York’s efforts to streamline physicians’ and hospitals’ ability to share and receive data across the state’s different Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs).  Please join MSSNY and representatives from the New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC) for an informational webinar on Wednesday, August 6, from 7:30-8:30 AM about the new Statewide Common Participation Agreement (SCPA).

Register for the SHIN-NY SCPA Informational Session and Q&A here.

New York State recently approved the SCPA, a new, common legal framework for all health care entities that participate in the SHIN-NY, establishing a data sharing agreement to make the state’s health information exchange more efficient, more robust, and more valuable to New York’s healthcare community.  The approved SCPA will replace the numerous, different legal agreements which have historically governed participation in the SHIN-NY through the participating organization’s RHIO with their customers. The SHIN-NY currently connects all hospitals in New York State, is used by well over 100,000 healthcare and community-based professionals and supports the care of millions of people who live in or receive care in New York.

Maximize Your Revenue, Minimize Your Hassle with STI RCM Solutions

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Are administrative tasks holding your practice back? What if you could spend more time focusing on your patients while reducing costs and increasing your income? With STI Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), you can!

Here’s What STI RCM Can Do for Your Practice:

  • Reduce Practice Costs: Free Practice Management and EMR software, including cloud access, updates, secure backups, and 24/7 HIPAA-compliant monitoring. Many vendors charge up to $600/month per physician, but with STI RCM, it’s free!
  • Increase Your Revenue: One physician’s practice saw an $81,156 increase in annual income after partnering with STI RCM—while saving $5,188 in reduced costs.
  • Enhance Quality of Life: No more waiting on hold with insurance companies or chasing small claims. Let our dedicated team handle the billing so you can focus on what matters—your patients.

Why Choose STI RCM?

  • Free EMR & Practice Management Software: Save on tech and reduce headaches.
  • Improved Collections: Increase monthly collections while reducing your Medicare penalties.
  • Mobile-First Technology: Check patient demographics, clinical info, and appointments via a free smartphone app—streamlined for modern practice needs. Ready to reduce costs and increase revenue?

Contact Matt Ross at 1-800-487-9135 extension 1169

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