The Memphis Medical Society sent interview questions to candidates running in the local, upcoming elections.
Here are what the candidates had to say to our membership:
MEET THE CANDIDATES EVENT, JUNE 20, 2018
Graduate Medical Education (Resident Physicians) Funding—Did you know that funding for residency slots for medical school graduates has not increased since 1997? If the state increases its funding, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services funds it at a 2-to-1 match? Just $8,000,000 additional in our state budget would generate $25 million to train new doctors in our state. What is your position on this issue?
Dave Cambron (D), House Dist. 99: Sounds reasonable. Our state too often misses opportunities in order to accumulate money we never spend.
Danielle Schonbaum (D), House Dist. 83: It’s always good to leverage federal dollars. I would like to understand why this hasn’t been done previously, but would be inclined to approve such a measure. Altogether, state needs to be accepting Medicaid funding.
Kevin Vaughan (R), House Dist. 95: There are a great many demands in the State for additional spending to assist with many issues. I would be willing to look at this issue in that context and provided that the revenue was available.
Judge David Rudolph (R), Circuit Court Judge, Div. 9: As a sitting judge, I am prohibited from taking positions on political issues.
Dwayne Thompson (D), House Dist. 96: I am for increased funding for residency slots for medical school graduates.
Ron Lollar (R), House Dist. 99: Fund additional spots. Money is available to establish priority.
Patricia Possel (R), House Dist. 96: It sounds like a win/win situation. I would like to read more about it, but it appears it should be supported.
Allan Creasy (D), House Dist. 97: I support increasing funding for training new doctors in Tennessee.
Team-Based, Physician-Led Care—Group practice for their professions, meaning Medical Doctors will not sign off on 20% of charts and make a monthly onsite visit, which is the current law?
Dave Cambron (D), House Dist. 99: Will need to research.
Danielle Schonbaum (D), House Dist. 83: I don’t see that there is a question here.
Kevin Vaughan (R), House Dist. 95: I am not in favor of independent practice for nurses and PA’s. A doctor’s oversight is critical, in my opinion.
Judge David Rudolph (R), Circuit Court Judge, Div. 9: As a sitting judge, I am prohibited from taking positions on political issues.
Dwayne Thompson (D), House Dist. 96: I would like to hear more information.
Ron Lollar (R), House Dist. 99: Opposed to anyone signing off without direct MD input. Led the charge to insure workers comp laws allowed only physicians to release patient by exam. Changed by rule.
Patricia Possel (R), House Dist. 96: I need more information. For areas that are underserved, this sounds like a solution. However, there is a reason it takes so long to get through medical school and that experience and training is important for quality care. So, I would like more information and study results showing there would be a benefit over the risk.
Allan Creasy (D), House Dist. 97: Accessible healthcare in Memphis is a much needed service, but we need to consider the pros and cons of something like independent practice. As a candidate, I would love to learn more about this issue from informed sources such as the Memphis Medical Society.
Keeping Malpractice Liability Stable – Tennessee currently has a cap on non-economic damages of $750,000. Frequently, interest groups emerge that want to modify the system by removing the cap and/or giving an administrative law judge with no medical background the authority to determine guilt. What is your position on malpractice liability?
Dave Cambron (D), House Dist. 99: Will need to research.
Danielle Schonbaum (D), House Dist. 83: For economic damage, this seems reasonable, but there would need to be a facility for this amount to increase over time. Additionally, there would need to be an exception policy for particularly egregious cases
Kevin Vaughan (R), House Dist. 95: I support keeping the existing non-economic cap.
Judge David Rudolph (R), Circuit Court Judge, Div. 9: As a sitting judge who hears medical malpractice cases in my court, I am prohibited from taking a position on this issue. I am fair, impartial and experienced in this area of the law.
Dwayne Thompson (D), House Dist. 96: Keep the cap as is.
Ron Lollar (R), House Dist. 99: Keep the cap.
Patricia Possel (R), House Dist. 96: I understand why there is a cap. In order to keep malpractice liability insurance affordable, there has to be a cap. Mistakes are costly to both parties. Victims deserve compensation. It is complicated. I would need to read the legislation to make a decision.
Allan Creasy (D), House Dist. 97: Malpractice liability is not an issue I have had much personal experience with or know enough about to give an informed opinion. I look forward to learning more about this from experts at the Memphis Medical Society.
Episodes of Care – our state’s Episodes of Care program is expanding rapidly and causing massive disruption in healthcare. Decisions about the state’s episodes of care payment model are continually made without physician agreement and in many cases with physician opposition. The Tennessee Health Care Innovation Initiative must be fixed in TennCare before any other programs move further. What is your position on this payment model?
Dave Cambron (D), House Dist. 99: Will need to research
Danielle Schonbaum (D), House Dist. 83: As this program was launched 5 years ago, it would be appropriate to convene all stakeholders to determine what is working and what is not. You state the initiative must be fixed, but don’t state what is wrong with it, simply that physicians are unhappy.
Kevin Vaughan (R), House Dist. 95: It should be thoroughly reviewed for its fairness and whether the assumptive models that it is based upon are reasonable.
Judge David Rudolph (R), Circuit Court Judge, Div. 9: As a sitting judge, I am prohibited from taking positions on political issues.
Dwayne Thompson (D), House Dist. 96: The Episodes of Care model needs to be modified to take physician costs into consideration and bring the provider’s input into consideration.
Ron Lollar (R), House Dist. 99: Fix the problem first Doctors must be included.
Patricia Possel (R), House Dist. 96: TN It appears to not be working and needs to be fixed. So many aspects of the health care system need to be fixed.
Allan Creasy (D), House Dist. 97: Much as we need to consult with teachers on any issue affecting our state’s educational policies and programs, I believe consulting with the medical community on such large issues is imperative.
Medicaid Expansion – Knowing our state’s previous attempts at expanding Medicaid (Insure Tennessee) and the state’s recent passage of a work requirement: What would you like to see happen with our state’s Medicaid program going forward?
Dave Cambron (D), House Dist. 99: Accept the Expansion
Danielle Schonbaum (D), House Dist. 83: That we accept federal funding and remove the work requirement.
Kevin Vaughan (R), House Dist. 95: I would like to review the options available to see what is the best course of action for this time in our state. However, I am also aware that Tenn Care almost broke us, so I am against giving Carte Blanche to a governor to negotiate with the Federal gov’t.
Judge David Rudolph (R), Circuit Court Judge, Div. 9: As a sitting judge, I am prohibited from taking positions on political issues.
Dwayne Thompson (D), House Dist. 96: Ideally to accept Medicaid expansion. I voted against the work requirement this year but would be more favorable if more able bodied people were covered and it wouldn’t be expensive to administer. More coverage is needed.
Ron Lollar (R), House Dist. 99: Federal disbursement of funds directly to state oversight.
Patricia Possel (R), House Dist. 96: TN – People who cannot work, need to have assistance. People who can work, need to contribute to society in a meaningful way … some kind of way. Entitlements keep the poor, poor. Maybe, if one needs help, there are time limits to receiving the assistance and while using community money, the participant gives of their time to charity or other organizations and/or gets an education, if needed, in order to become a productive member of society.
Allan Creasy (D), House Dist. 97: Unlike my opponent, who voted against Medicaid expansion, I am passionate about seeing affordable healthcare expanded in Tennessee, and once elected will work to make sure Medicaid expansion is funded.
