The 4,000-member Connecticut State Medical Society (CSMS) unveiled its 2022 legislative priorities during a virtual media briefing Friday afternoon, and among the group’s top priorities is keeping physicians trained in Connecticut to work in the state.
During the 20-minute introduction, Dr. David Emmel, chairperson of CSMS’ legislative committee, said his group would be asking state legislators to support a loan forgiveness program for medical students and residents.
“We are having a hard time recruiting and retaining physicians,” Emmel said. “Most physicians trained here leave Connecticut.”
Emmel said the high cost of living in the state, regulatory issues and issues related to medical malpractice insurance costs were among the chief reasons why physicians were leaving the Nutmeg State.
Emmel also pointed to two students he knows who were both burdened with $500,000 in student loan debt.
Dr. Bob Russo, the group’s chief medical officer, said high-deductible health insurance plans that come with prior authorization requirements were also a burden facing CSMS members.
“We are asking doctors to be a credit union to patients,” Russo said. “It’s an administrative burden, especially for smaller practices.”
CSMS President Dr. Ronald Adelman opened the media call saying gender and health equity in medicine were top priorities for the group, which was formed in 1792.
“Health equity is of utmost importance,” said Adelman, who noted that it is progress that 52% of all medical students in the state are now women.
