04/05/2016

NYSPMA and the Community Healthcare Network Need Your Help

The following is an open letter to our membership from the Community Healthcare Network, who has partnered with us to advocate for New York State Senate Bill S06990 sponsored by Senator George Amedore (R -District 46) and New York State Assembly Bill A00719 sponsored by Gary Pretlow (D- District 69).

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We are searching for NYSPMA members currently employed (full time, part time or per diem) by a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC), Not-For Profit Healthcare Center or Article 28 Healthcare Center. 

As you may know, NYSPMA has been diligently fighting to have the scope of practice in New York State expanded for a number of years.  Two years ago we were able to achieve this goal, with restrictions.   Due to these restrictions, few currently practicing providers will meet these qualifications.   There are currently two new bills in the New York State Assembly and Senate that will allow all podiatrists licensed in New York State to provide nonsurgical treatment of the ankle and its structures and to treat skin, soft tissue and wounds below the tibial tuberosity. 

As employees of the above mentioned healthcare centers we are in a unique position.  Specialists, such as vascular surgeons, dermatologists and orthopedists, are rarely employed by these institutions.  As a result, patients need to be referred to external providers and public hospitals for treatment.  This can result in treatment delays, with appointment wait times of months or longer.  These delays put our patients at greater risk and can prove costly to the healthcare system.  In states with this expanded scope, many of these conditions are treated by podiatrists, thus limiting the need for outside referrals. 

We are working on presenting a unified and organized presentation to Chief Medical Officers and CEOs at these healthcare centers to gain support of this cause.  We are asking for your help in this endeavor.  If the new bills currently being considered by our elected officials were to pass, our patients would have better outcomes, lower health risks, better coordinated care, less external referrals, less cost to the healthcare system and our organizations would see an increase in patient visits and revenue. We are sure you will agree and ask you to contact us with your name and your organization’s name and address so we can discuss this further. 

As our goal is to work as a unified force, we would also appreciate contact information of your healthcare site supervisor, CMO and/or CEO.   If you prefer to remain anonymous, and just want to forward your Administration information that would be appreciated as well.  Together we can make this happen. 

Craig Herman, D.P.M.
Director of Podiatry
Community Healthcare Network
Phone:    (212)-545-6293
E-mail:    cherman@chnnyc.org