A Review of Events and Legislative Priorities

As we move into April, I am reflecting on recent TCMS activities. Several TCMS members participated in the OSMA House of Delegates meeting last month. Our Vice President, Dr. Sharon D’Souza, submitted several resolutions that were considered. Seven of these resolutions were adopted and demonstrate OSMA’s support of physician-led care, physician-led leadership in physician societies and organizations, and opposition to the corporate practice of medicine. Thank you, Dr. D’Souza, for your hard work on these important measures!

On Monday evening, March 31st, TCMS sponsored the annual Medlam Flag Football event between the OU School of Community Medicine and the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine medical students at the OU Schusterman Center. Other event sponsors included Presenting Sponsor First Oklahoma Bank, Ally Sponsors - Osteopathic Founders Foundation, SVMIC; and T-shirt Sponsors - MidFirst Private Bank, Osteopathic Founders Foundation,  OSMA. And the winners were OSU Medical Students.

On Friday evening, April 4th, TCMS hosted an OMPAC’s (Oklahoma Medical Political Action Committee) fundraising event, Advocacy and Appetizers. Those who attended included myself, Dr. Diane Heaton, Dr. Sharon Smallwood, Dr. John Tedesco, and several other TCMS members. We heard from Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Senator Dave Rader, and Representative Suzanne Schreiber regarding their views of current issues facing our state, including budget shortfalls and potential reductions in federal Medicaid funding. We learned that Senator Rader and Rep. Schreiber have voted 100% in favor of OSMA positions on state legislation, and donations to OMPAC have helped these two win their races. Rep. Schreiber commented on the successful passage of HB4148 last year. She spoke of the importance of the mentorship provided to her by Dr. Jamie Cash in getting this bill passed that encourages compliance with Oklahoma’s law requiring cash-pay price transparency. She also spoke of her bill this year to allow cash payments for out-of-pocket medical services to count toward insurance deductibles. Mr. Pinnell spoke of the state’s growth and emphasized excellent healthcare and excellent schools as the two most important factors in drawing people to the state.

He told us that we, as physicians, don’t emphasize this enough!

April is Tulsa County’s month as Doctor of the Day at the State Capitol. Please sign up for a session, if you are able. Finally, I will close by expressing my gratitude to you all for your commitment to and for the care you provide to our community. Thank you!

Ondria C. Gleason, M.D.

TCMS President