Medical society gives doctors influence in state Legislature

Merilyn Potters

Monday, July 8, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Of the 1,500 doctors in Las Vegas, about 600 are members of the Clark County Medical Society, the local affiliate of the American Medical Association and the local chapter of the Nevada State Medical Association.

The organization offers patient services such as physician referrals, information about physicians and grievance arbitration other than malpractice or fee disputes.

It has also raised money for local charities and scholarships.

Its physician services include educational programs, social functions and group purchasing discounts.

Medical society President Bernard Feldman said the organization will be introducing a centralized credential system to alleviate physicians' paperwork in submitting their credentials to HMOs, insurance companies and hospitals.

During the 1995 legislative session, the medical society and the state medical association helped with the following legislative actions:

* Tort reform was passed that provides periodic payment of damages for large future awards rather than lump-sum awards.

* Legislation was passed that allowed employers to form purchasing groups for health insurance and required all insurance and managed care companies to guarantee insurability.

* Drastic limits were placed on legislation to increase scope of practice for optometrists, homeopaths and psychologists.

Doctors may not agree with all of the platforms and initiatives, but the medical society is a vehicle for the profession to exercise influence, Feldman says.

For more information, call 739-9989.