visit
www.texmed.org/borderbattle.) We have to defend against every assault on tort reform, which preserves patient access to care.
Texas Medicine: How can the state improve Medicaid payment for Texas physicians?
Dr. Read: We have a huge problem of an underfunded Medicaid program in the state. Physicians’ payment is so low that most physicians choose not to participate in Medicaid. TMA’s 2014 Physician Survey says only 37 percent of Texas physicians will accept all new Medicaid patients. In North Texas, only 19 percent of specialists will take new Medicaid patients. We have an increasing population on Medicaid in Texas, and Medicaid spending is a huge chunk
of our state budget. I’m sympathetic to that, but I worry more about our patients than I do our legis- lators. Other states in the country pay Medicaid at Medicare rates. Many physicians who don’t take Medicaid now would see those patients if they could be paid Medicare rates.
Texas Medicine: Why is it vital that TMA support physicians in private practice and protect physi- cians who are hospital employees?
Dr. Read: Many TMA members are in private practice, but the model is changing. More physicians are becoming hospital employees. We have to do everything we can to protect doctors in private practice so they can remain in private practice if they want to. On the other hand, we have to figure out what we can do to protect physicians who are hospital employees. We need to ensure TMA is relevant to those employed physicians.
Texas Medicine: You’ve talked a lot about how contracting neuroinvasive West Nile virus changed your life. What lessons has surviving the virus taught you?
Dr. Read: I wasn’t sure I was going to survive. When you’re that sick, you realize how dependent you are on the people taking care of you. And you find out how much you need a patient advocate. My wife, Roberta, fulfilled that role for me. (Watch Dr. Read share his story of contracting and surviving West Nile virus with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Chief Medical Oficer Dan K. McCoy, MD, on TMA’s Me&MyDoctor blog, tma.tips/ReadWNVvideo.) After seven months of therapy, I was able to return to work. By one year, I could work a full schedule. When I didn’t die from West Nile, I worried it was because God didn’t want me. I think He kept me
on this Earth to start the West Nile virus support group that I began in 2006. We get together and discuss our cases, our symptoms, and learn more from invited guest speakers. From my experience with West Nile virus, I gained a new appreciation of the need for advocacy
from the individual patient’s standpoint. In the Dallas County Medical Society and TMA, I have learned the importance of advocacy for our patients collectively. I look forward to advocating for Texas physicians and our patients this year.
May 2016 TEXAS MEDICINE 19
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