OH, YE OF LITTLE FAITH!

Over the many years during which the Federation has supported the efforts of physicians to achieve reasonable Provider Agreements with insurers, while making sure those efforts stayed within the scope of the law, very few physician members, or their staff, can say that they have not improved their individual negotiating skills.

Unfortunately, some physicians and their staff have utilized those skills to turn their backs on the Federation, or even worse, as in Cincinnati, have become overzealous at the expense of the Federation, knowing that if they crossed the line, the Federation would bear the brunt of any judicial attack. And, that is exactly what transpired in Cincinnati - some rogue physicians crossed the line, despite repeated warnings from the Federation that they were exposing the entire organization to risk. However, once again, the Federation was up to the challenge and it is not going away, hopefully much to the chagrin of the Department of Justice.

Sadly, those who don’t follow the rules “cut and run” at the first sign of controversy, and at the expense of the Federation. But, you can’t meet any challenge without some controversy. And no one should expect someone else to pay the cost of another’s stupidity (or ego, I don’t know what drives some people’s behavior). Especially when it was they who capitalized on the expertise of this organization.

Like any organization, the Federation is dependant on income in order to “fight the fight.” Our fight has been, and will continue to be, to achieve equity and a level playing field for physicians. In order to do this on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, we rely on income from its membership.

Yet, there are some who have chosen to walk away when they got what the wanted, thinking that if they run into trouble again, they can just call at later time and pick up where we left off. This cannot be the case. Without dedicated and loyal membership, there is nothing to pick up.

Collective bargaining for all physicians is a political issue and the support of 1.5 million affiliate members of the Federation can make it possible for physicians to fairly negotiate reasonable contracts with insurers . Do you want this bad enough, or are you just a “complainer?” Complainers don’t make change - they only exacerbate the need for change by sticking their heads in the sand.

Let those with little faith and those who lack the fortitude and perseverance at least admit that they are naysayers and really don’t believe in their organization or their colleagues. But we won’t let them discourage our efforts, and don’t you let them either. Stand up and fight for your organization. And have faith!