Physicians for Sanford: Mr. Stafford will carefully study the interests of physicians and patients when the Legislature considers medical issues. A moderate Democrat in a moderate district, he wants to return moderate, independent and collaborative thought to the Legislature and will work with a variety of stakeholders to promote practical, solution-focused legislation. --Bob Gunby, MD; Madeline Harford, MD; Brett Stauffer, MD 10/24/14 (Read full letter below) Physicians for Paul Stafford for State Representative of HD 115 Oct. 24, 2014 Dear Colleague, As Dallas County physicians, we urge you to support Paul Stafford in his campaign to represent District 115 in the Texas House. Early voting continues through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Mr. Stafford will carefully study the interests of physicians and patients when the Legislature considers medical issues. A moderate Democrat in a moderate district, he wants to return moderate, independent and collaborative thought to the Legislature and will work with a variety of stakeholders to promote practical, solution-focused legislation. Expanding access to health care as a matter of public safety is a pillar of his campaign. Mr. Stafford intends to work closely with DCMS and TMA to increase lawmakers’ awareness about healthcare access, including Medicaid expansion, for the 1.2 million uninsured Texas children. He sees attempts to expand access via medical service rate cuts as self-defeating. Instead, expanding the accountable care shared savings model, specifically within transitional care programs for chronic, but “impactable” populations, would put physicians back in the driver’s seat in deciding best practice care. With the 2003 Texas tort system reforms, the number of licensed physicians in Texas has increased, while the number of medical malpractice cases has decreased; however, the cost of health insurance and medical malpractice insurance has increased. As an attorney and seasoned litigator, Mr. Stafford supports the rights of aggrieved parties to address their grievances and damages through our judicial system. If reforms are needed, he supports only those that address increasing access to medical care and medical professionals, curtailing frivolous lawsuits, and lowering the costs of medical and malpractice insurance throughout Texas. Regarding scope of practice, Mr. Stafford believes that the physician should lead the medical team, payment models should promote a team approach to care, and the use of telemedicine technology should increase to allow physicians to expand their presence into rural areas and/or specialty cases. Physician extenders, RNs and care managers play a valuable role on the healthcare team, under physician leadership. Further, as accountable care models expand, Mr. Stafford would oppose any efforts by the administration or their surrogates to prescribe physician clinical protocols. Mr. Stafford understands the repercussions our state faces with too few residency slots. A shortage in residency positions is forcing many students to move out of state to complete their training. He will work with DCMS and TMA to craft a solution to the problem with an emphasis on expanding residency training programs in rural areas in a way that expands training sites and increases access to care. We add our support for Paul to endorsements from The Dallas Morning News, Texas Hospital Association PAC, Texas State Teachers Association, and Sierra Club. We urge you to support him, also. Bob Gunby, MD Madeline Harford, MD Brett Stauffer, MD
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:30:00 +0000
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