PROJECT SUMMARY
2010 AMA Alliance LEAP Award White Coat Rally
In October 2009, despite a huge grassroots effort, the State House of Representatives voted 56 ‐52 in favor of a 3 percent tax on the gross receipts of physicians. The fate of the physician tax bill, officially known as the “Quality Assurance Assessment Program” (QAAP), fell into the hands of our Senators. The State Medical Society organized a “White Coat Rally” to educate lawmakers and provide a “powerful visual statement” that physicians were united in their opposition to this tax. On Tuesday October 20th, over 1000 physicians, staff and Alliance members from across the State donned white coats and flocked to the State’s Capital to rally on the steps of the Capital building. In addition, rally participants packed the Senate Appropriations Community Health Subcommittee meeting. It was standing room only for the undeniable, rock‐solid testimony given by the State Medical Society President and the State Medical Society’s Immediate Past‐President. On October 28th, the Senate voted 32‐4 to reject the proposed tax on physicians!
DESCRIPTION OF GOALS
The goal of the White Coat Rally was to “show” our State legislators how much opposition there was to the proposed physician tax bill. Planning included setting the date and spreading the word via publications, websites and emails. Many County Medical Societies and Specialty Societies chartered a bus for their physicians, office staff and Alliance members. Participants met at a hotel just a few blocks from the State Capital building. Sack lunches were provided by the State Medical Society as were demonstration signs for participants to hold while marching.
During lunch, several physicians addressed the group. Then, we assembled to march on the Capital.
IMPACT OF PROJECT ON LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
The White Coat Rally inspired physicians from all areas and specialties to close down their practices for the day in order to take a stand on behalf of ALL doctors and patients in our State. Alliance members also took time away from their jobs, families and responsibilities to be involved in the rally. Alliance members who were not able to make the trip took part in the event by contacting their Senators on that day.
Our State has above average income and property tax rates. We also have a State Business T ax. In addition to these three taxes, our physicians have subsidized our State’s Medicaid program for over 35 years with 60 cents on every dollar for services provided. Imposing an additional 3 percent in gross revenue taxes would have forced physicians to leave the State or stop accepting Medicaid patients. The 32‐4 Senate vote against the physician tax was not only a huge relief but it impressed upon us all how indeed “together we are stronger”! The White Coat Rally effort and successful result continue to resound and inspire action, reminding us that it is our responsibility to educate our legislators and to never give up fighting for issues that are right for the family of medicine and protective of access to healthcare for all patients.
EFFECT ON AMPAC AND STATE PAC MEMBERSHIP
The effect on our State PAC was profound. Membership grew 10% compared to the same month in previous years. Between forty and fifty additional donations were received in direct response to this project.
BUDGET AND RESOURCE SUMMARY
Many participants in the White Coat Rally provided their own transportation to the Capital. Others arrived on charter busses provided by Specialty groups or County Medical Societies. The first stop was the hotel where participants were treated to a sack lunch containing a sandwich, apple and cookies compliments of the State Medical Society. The Osteopathic Association supplied “campaign” buttons. The State Medical Society provided demonstration signs. The State Medical Society staff welcomed participants and communicated the rally’s plan of action.
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Our State, like many others, is extremely low on revenue sources. Our legislators are looking hard for innovative ways to balance our budget. At first glance, the physician tax appeared to be a win‐win because the dollars raised with the tax were to be “matched” with federal stimulus dollars. In reality, the tax would have hurt communities in our State. The defeat of the proposed physician tax bill will impact our communities in the following ways:
1. It will keep physicians and their practices in our state and prevent some physicians from early retirement ‐ both of which would have reduced access to health care for our citizens. 2. It will keep physicians from having to lay off nurses, office administrators, billing personnel
and others in order to make ends meet. These lay‐offs would have further reduced access to health care for our citizens and would have elevated our state’s already intolerable unemployment rate.
3. It will encourage new physicians to move to our State to set up their practices and raise their families rather than seek less expensive alternatives.
4. It has brought attention to our chronically under‐funded Medicaid program which may lead to longer term solutions.
The White Coat Rally made a positive impression on our lawmakers. They now realize that the medical community is a force to be reckoned with and having our support is important. The White Coat Rally helped to unify and empower physicians and Alliance members throughout our State. Most importantly, it helped protect our communities’ doctors, patients and health care for all our State’s citizens.
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