The 2011 Legislative Session

The 2011 Legislative Session brought many challenges and many successes for the NCMS. The landmark achievement for medicine this year was the passage of SB 33, which enacts meaningful medical liability reform in our state. Read more about the passage of tort reform here.

For a full overview of the 2011 legislative session, download the 2011 Legislative Summary (PDF - 46 pages).

For a look back at the 2010 legislative session, click here to view the 2010 Legislative Summary.

Health System Reform

The focus of the country has shifted to health care reform, making membership in NCMS PAC and the Medical Society more important than ever. The North Carolina Medical Society, knowing that physicians and their patients are the primary stakeholders in this debate, has crafted a series of guiding principles that are key to true reform. Among these principles, you'll find:

• A commitment to health care coverage for all Americans;
• Reform of the tort system;
• A permanent fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula; and
• The preservation of the physician-patient relationship.

• Review the NCMS Guiding Principles for Health System Reform (PDF)
• Visit the NCMS Health Reform Resource Area

Budget

The North Carolina General Assembly continues to struggle with budget shortages this year. The NCMS is maintaining its vigilance in protecting Medicaid from continued cuts during this time and asks that members continue to reach out to their legislators on the importance of protecting this program.

• Talking Points on the 2011 Budget (PDF)

Medical Liability Reform

Soon after the General Assembly convened in 2011, legislators file Senate Bill 33 - Medical Liability Reforms.
Click here for a short tutorial on SB 33 (PowerPoint)

View the NCMS's stance on needed medical liability reforms below:

• Appeal Bonds (PDF)
  
• Bifurcation of Trials (PDF)
  
• Cap of Non-Economic Damages (PDF)
  
• Emergency Care (PDF)
  
• Periodic Payments (PDF)

• Brief Talking Points on SB33 - Medical Liability Reforms (PDF)
  
• Detailed Talking Points on Medical Liability Reform (PDF)

• Legislative Action Center
• AMA's Case for Liability Reform

Insurance Regulation

• NCMS White Paper on Insurance Regulation Issues (PDF)

Scope of Practice

• NCMS White Paper on Scope of Practice Issues (PDF)

Professional Regulation

The North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB) both play important roles in regulating the practice of medicine across the state. The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is actively engaged with both of these organizations with the goal of preserving the physician-patient relationship while also assuring public safety.

• NCMS White Paper on Professional Regulation Issues (PDF)