The Deans of the New York State medical schools traveled to Washington DC on July 8-9, 2008 to discuss Federal issues critical to the future of New York State's academic medical centers. On July 8th, the Deans met with Senator Charles Schumer (D) to discuss funding for research and health professions, the False Claims Act, and a solution to Medicare physician payment calculations.

On July 9th, AMSNY held its Annual Congressional Forum. The event, co-hosted by Congressman Charles Rangel (D), was facilitated by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D) and Congressman James Walsh (R). Congressional delegation members, including Representative Carolyn Maloney (D), Representative Randy Kuhl (R) and Congressman Joseph Crowley (D) discussed issues such as NIH and biomedical research, graduate medical education, Title VII and the health professions, and physician payment with the Deans and Senior Administrators from the State's medical schools and academic health centers. The Deans also met with Senator Hillary Clinton's (D) staff to discuss the same concerns. New York State's Congressional Delegation has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of New Yorkers by supporting increases in research funding, improved access to health care, and quality medical education in New York State.

In the 2008-09 Budget, the New York State Legislature and Governor created the "Doctors Across New York" Program to support the State's healthcare system.  The Program has three components:

1. Professional Education Pool (PEP)

2. Graduate Medical Education (GME) Innovations Pool, including: Incentive Pool/ECRIP, Ambulatory Training, Physician Loan Repayment, Physician Practice Support, Physician Studies, Diversity in Medicine/Post-Baccalaureate Program

3. Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)

Of these initiatives, AMSNY successfully advocated for:

Physician Loan Repayment- funds up to 100 awards annually with a maximum of $150,000 in loan repayment over five years for primary care and specialty physicians to practice in rural and inner-city underserved communities. Funding is distributed 2/3 to rural areas; 1/3 to cities through a Request for Proposal process.

Physician Practice Support- provides up to $100,000 in physician practice support over two years to encourage primary care and specialty physicians to practice in rural and inner-city underserved communities. Funding distribution is similar to the loan repayment program and available to enhance physician recruitment incentive packages.

Diversity in Medicine/Post-Baccalaureate Program- AMSNY will receive $1.96 million for current, expanded, and new Diversity Programs, including the creation of a new post-bac program. AMSNY currently supports programming along the educational continuum that encourages students from underserved communities to enter a career in medicine. The current AMSNY post-bac program provides minority and economically disadvantaged students an additional year of academic enrichment prior to entering medical school. These funds will increase the capacity of the program to 50 students.

AMSNY will also receive $2 million per year, less budget cuts, through 2011 for these initiatives.

In 2006 the Association of American Medical Colleges approved an AAMC- administered national criminal background check policy for applicants that have been accepted into medical school and enrolled students; the acceptance of applicants is contingent upon the results of the criminal background check report. This policy will be implemented in full for 2009 applicants.

In response to AAMC’s decision, the Board of Trustees of AMSNY requested the Committee on Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (CDMA) to develop a set of recommendations as to whether the NYS schools should in fact perform criminal background checks (CBCs), and if a school chooses to do so, a guide for how the program should be structured.

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Despite alarming news of NYS’ budget deficit, Governor Spitzer’s support for AMSNY programs and health-related initiatives in his SFY 2008- 2009 Executive Budget was encouraging. The Governor’s proposed budget significantly increases funding for AMSNY’s Post Baccalaureate (Post-Bac) Program, Physician Career Enhancement Program and Academic Counseling Program. The Post-Bac Program is a joint initiative with the SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and provides college students from economically and educationally disadvantaged areas the chance to enhance their academic performance before they enter medical school. Both the Physician Career Enhancement Program and the Academic Counseling Programs offer underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged students training and guidance, to increase their access to the field of medicine. The allocation of $2 million a year for calendar years 2008-2010, will enable AMSNY to fund current, and create new, diversity programs.

In addition, the budget maintains funding for the STEP/CSTEP programs at $19 million, allowing AMSNY to continue funding of it’s 10 statewide STEP programs. The STEP program is an educational enrichment program that enhances and strengthens prerequisite math and science skills of disadvantaged high school and undergraduate college students.

In an effort to address the physician shortage in New York State, Governor Spitzer has also proposed the “Doctor’s Across New York” program. This program will implement a Physician Loan Repayment Program that will award funding to primary care doctors who commit to practice at least 5 years in an under-served area. The funds will be regionally allocated throughout the state with 1/3 going to New York City and the remaining 2/3 going to the rest of the state. However, participating physicians who practice in an underserved area less than 2 years must repay funds, with interest. The “Doctor’s Across New York” Program also includes, Physician Practice Support, Study on Physician Workforce and funding for NYS Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Initiatives, all of which will help enhance the understanding of the needs of physicians and communities throughout New York State. AMSNY has been advocating, with the Hospital Association of New York State (HANYS) and the Medical Society of New York State (MSSNY), for a similar program for over a year and endorses the Governor’s proposal.