As a practicing rheumatologist, I knew NOTHING about politics until I was named in a frivolous lawsuit in 2000. Due to issues of joint and several liability and venue in place at the time, along with my naiveté in medical legal issues, I settled the suit. However, my anger at the system spurred me to become politically active, both in organized medicine and at a grassroots level. Initially I spoke and wrote primarily about tort reform, but over the years, that became less of an issue in Pennsylvania. Over the years, I have evolved. I have written numerous articles and op-eds regarding issues such as prior authorization, scope of practice, MOC, venue, cost transparency etc.. I have recently completed writing a book, entitled Rheum for Improvement which describes my journey. It should be available early in 2022. I am retired as of the beginning of 2021.
Book: Rheum for Improvement – The Evolution of a Health-Care Advocate.
Health care should be a human interaction between a patient and a physician rather than a business transaction between a consumer and a provider.
