Assignment of Benefits

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004

Dear fellow VSA Members,

I am pleased to report that as a result of a meeting held yesterday among various subspecialty leaders and groups, as well as the Medical Society of Virginia Leadership, that the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists has agreed to be a leader with the MSV and other groups in this year's legislative session concerning the issue of Assignment of Benefits.

The MSV considers this issue to be of significant importance and will take the lead role in pursuing changes to correct this situation. I have committed the VSA, the VSAPAC, as well as our lobbyists, to support the MSV in whatever capacity we are called upon to assist in this important matter. Drs. Bass and Albert represented the VSA at yesterday's meeting and along with Dr. Wilhite will continue to represent us.I thank them for their leadership in this important matter.

The VSA leadership takes this issue very seriously as well as other political issues which we have historically supported such as Tort Reform.

I will keep you posted concerning future efforts which require your direct participation (lobbying, meeting with members of the General Assembly) or indirect support (financial contributions to the VSAPAC). I hope we can count on you to render assistance on both matters.

Sincerely,

Stephen P. Long, MD
President