STATE SENATOR TOM GEORGE, MD, RECEIVES MICHIGAN STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTIAL CITATION
Doctor George was honored with the citation from outgoing MSMS president Michael A. Sandler, MD, a Detroit diagnostic radiologist, for his work to improve health care in Michigan.
EAST LANSING - Senator Tom George, MD, a Kalamazoo anesthesiologist, was presented with a Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) Presidential Citation at the 144th annual meeting of the MSMS House of Delegates on April 24 in Grand Rapids.
Doctor George was honored with the citation from outgoing MSMS president Michael A. Sandler, MD, a Detroit diagnostic radiologist, for his work to improve health care in Michigan.
One of Doctor George's first successful legislative endeavors as a freshman state representative in 2001 was to reduce the barriers for patients accessing appropriate medications for chronic pain management, Doctor Sandler said. "He shepherded through legislation to repeal the old burdensome system and replace it with an electronic monitoring program," Doctor Sandler said.
In his capacity as chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee, Senator George took on some of the largest and most entrenched interests in Lansing, Doctor Sandler said.
"When legislation to completely overhaul the individual health insurance market passed out of the House of Representatives last year with minimal debate, Senator George insisted on appropriate revisions," Doctor Sandler said. "He continues to work with all stakeholders to arrive at a solution that keeps insurance affordable and maintains healthy competition."
"As professionals, business owners and community members, physicians are able to offer a unique perspective on a variety of issues," Doctor Sandler said. "As elected officials, physicians can provide an important voice for our patients. Doctor George has done all of that and more."
The Michigan State Medical Society is the statewide professional association of 15,000 medical doctors in Michigan affiliated with the American Medical Association. Physician policies on various issues involving public health, health care delivery and medical ethics are set at the annual MSMS House of Delegates meeting.
Posted: 6/3/2009