Again this year, the College’s State Affairs staff participated in the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).  The College exhibits as part of the 12-member coalition “Physician’s Advocating for Patients.”  (See side bar for a complete list of coalition members.)

The National Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths, and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

Each summer, NCSL brings thousands of legislators and staff together for the largest meeting of its kind in the nation. The annual meeting provides more than 150 informative sessions and presents nationally renowned speakers on the issues that matter. This meeting provides a forum in which legislators and their staffs can meet with a variety of exhibitors and discuss important state issues, including such things as medical liability reform, health system reform, physician reimbursement and Medicaid, and scope of practice expansion by non-physicians.  (http://www.ncsl.org/annualmeeting/Exhibitors.htm)

Next year’s meeting will be held in Boston, MA.  Fellows in the Boston area who may be interested in taking a turn staffing the exhibit next year should contact Mindy Baker, State Affairs Associate, 312-202-5363, mbaker@facs.org, to be added to the list.