Missouri's Principal Voice For Anesthesiologists

Welcome to the Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists web site. MSA members are a dynamic group of anesthesiologists dedicated to the betterment of the profession.

Benefit from becoming an MSA member by belonging to an association dedicated to protecting your practice, your patients and a fair return for your services and by having an organized forum to share your ideas, problems and solutions concerning your chosen profession. Visit our "Membership" info. to learn more about becoming an MSA member.

---

CALL TO ACTION ON PENDING LEGISLATION IN THE U.S. SENATE AFFECTING ANESTHESIOLOGISTS THIS WEEK!!!!!

Kennedy's (and Obama's) affordable access" plan, the "American Health Choices Act" will offer government-sponsored health care to Americans not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or other programs. The plan would pay providers 10% over Medicare rates which are 33% of what private insurers pay for anesthesia services (according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office – GAO)and significantly discounts payments for pain services. In the public plan option no previsions deal with funding and physician participation may be mandatory. An extension of this broken payment system would severely damage our specialty.

It is time for each member to rise to the occasion and call Senator McCaskill and Senator Bond to encourage them to vote against this "Public Plan for Health Care". You need make only two points:

1. Reimbursement at Medicare rates will negatively impact 40-65% of anesthesiologists' practices within the State. This will lead to fewer numbers of anesthesiologists to do cases throughout the State.

2. Causing a shift in the work force will result in decreased availability and patient safety issues that will negatively impact the care of all Missourians.

Encourage both Senators to vote against any health plan based on the Medicare payment system. Take 5 minutes to call Senator Bond at 202.224.5721 and Senator McCaskill at 202.224.6154. Then send the two talking points to each Senator's electronic address. To send your comments to Senator McCaskill use http://mccaskill.senate.gov/contact/ on your Internet Explorer. To send your comments to Senator Bond use http://bond.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm. Act today and encourage all of your colleagues to do the same.

We need your help by this week! Please call today!

---

Save These Dates:

October 17, 2009 - Missouri Caucus Free Breakfast Meeting during the ASA Annual Convention, New Orleans

February 16, 2010 - Anesthesiologists Day at the Capitol, Jefferson City

March 26-28, 2010 - MSA Annual Meeting, Airport Renaissance Hotel, St. Louis

---

Join MSA:

Join MSA Now!
By clicking this, you can download the application, or you can join online for an active membership and the completed application will automatically go to both ASA and MSA. MSA uses the old ASA membership form for their membership form. On the old form, just fill out the first page, sign and fax it to MSA at 573-636-8552. Or if you need to contact MSA's Headquarters, please call Executive Director Fred Brown at 573-636-6905

---

Announcements:

Congratulations to the 2009-2010 MSA Officers

President - Tom Davis, MD, St. Louis
President Elect - Steve Smith, MD, St. Louis
Vice President - Adam Striker, MD, Kansas City
Secretary-Treasurer - Larry Petersen, MD, Springfield
Immediate Past President - Tim Cooper, MD, St. Charles
ASA Director - Don Arnold, MD, St. Louis
ASA Alternate Director - Tom Saak, MD, St. Louis
Speaker - Susan Dando, DO, St. Louis
Vice Speaker - Michael McCartney, MD, Kansas City

Congratulations to the 2009 - 2010 ASA Delegates

Chris Southwick, MD - 2009, Joplin
Tim Cooper, MD - 2009, St. Charles
Al Manalaysay, MD - 2009, 2010, St. Louis
Tom Davis, MD - 2009. 2010, St. Louis
Tom Saak, MD - 2009, 2010, 2011, St. Louis
Steve Smith, MD - 2009, 2010, 2011, St. Louis

Congratulations to the 2009 - 2010 ASA Alternate Delegates

George Lappas, MD, St. Louis
James Kelly, MD, Kansas City
Susan Dando, DO, St. Charles
Jim Gibbons, MD, St. Louis
Kathy Perryman, MD, Kansas City
Kit Young, MD, St. Louis

Congratulations to the 2009 - 2010 MSA Resident Officers

President John Patrick Hagen, MD, St. Louis
President Elect Thomas “Joel” Berry, MD, St. Lukes Hospital, Kansas City
Secretary-Treasurer Ryan Derby, MD, Washington U, St. Louis

Congratulations to the 2009 - 2010 ASA Resident Section Delegates

To Be Announced

---

POWERFUL TOOLS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS:

• Look up your STATE and NATIONAL LEGISLATORS.
• Members: Recommend a link now.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK:

Members: In our continued efforts to find more convenient and affordable methods of communicating with our membership and promoting the MSA mission, we encourage you to become familiar with the existing elements of the site, and offer suggestions for ways in which we can continue to improve this valuable, digital resource.

Did you know that currently you can use this site to:

• Access society related announcements by clicking on a link in the "Headlines" table in the upper left column.
• Locate your State and National leaders with the click of your mouse.
• Access Missouri State Medical Association’s website to access updates on state governmental issues affecting all physician specialties. Their Website is www.msma.org
• Submit and Review CME Opportunities online in the CME section.
• RSVP online for an upcoming meeting, or Submit an event in the Calendar section.

Need help utilizing one of the features mentioned above? Contact Online Support now.

Have a suggestion for a new feature? Submit it now.