President’s Message

Living Our Legacy

Excerpted from the inaugural address, May 13, 2006

In May 1781, 31 Massachusetts physicians endorsed the idea that if medical professionals got together to share their medical discoveries and uphold the highest standards of medical knowledge, they would improve the quality of medicine. They thus petitioned the Legislature to incorporate the Massachusetts Medical Society.

This small group of physicians identified a problem, devised a solution, and acted. They also realized they couldn’t do it alone, so they involved other stakeholders -- the legislators -- just as we do today.

Later this year, we will celebrate our 225-year legacy. The best way to honor the vision of our 31 founding brothers is to live it. Our challenges today revolve around three key problems -- cost, quality, and access.

Cost control is the catalyst for many of the changes in health care today, including transparency and pay for performance. The people who pay the bills are looking for new approaches to affordability. If they don’t get one, they will invent one. We can complain about it, or we can do something. I prefer action.

Knowing the cost of care from the patient’s perspective is the first step. This information is available now from computer analysis of our claims, and we must learn to use this tool.

Regarding quality, physicians have always focused on improving quality. Today we have to measure it, and measure it right. Right now, across the country, patients get standard care only about 50 percent of the time. We must do better.

Finally, universal access -- It’s a bedrock value of this Society. The state reform legislation was a giant step, but there are many potential pitfalls in implementing it. We must be vigilant to make sure this turns out right for our patients.

But having insurance does not guarantee having a doctor. Our practice index has declined for the 12th year in a row… our workforce study highlights areas of short supply… and our primary care providers are being put out of business. That’s why our Society’s predominant strategic goal is preserving the viability of physician practices.

No organization is better prepared and able to act on these challenges than the Massachusetts Medical Society. I ask all of you for your support and your ideas, as we uphold a health care system in which every physician matters and each patient counts. Courage, boldness, and creativity will make a difference, just as they did in 1781.

– Kenneth R. Peelle, M.D.