Dear Doctors,

The growth of the Seminole County Medical Society has surpassed our expectations and along with our nation has seen many challenges. Our nation has seen the internet revolution, the beginnings of electronic medicine, terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We have also withstood four hurricanes in the state of Florida - Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, of which hit Central Florida directly in 2004.

The 2003 legislative session in Florida saw the enactment of the $500,000 cap for non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases; however, as predicted the malpractice premiums continued to rise thrusting the FMA into developing and supporting Amendment #3. Through a concerted effort of the state medical societies and physicians, Amendment #3 was passed by overwhelming majority in the 2004 election.

As a result of the crisis of medicine in the state of Florida, we have also witnessed many doctors leaving the state of Florida, retiring early, and experienced difficulty in recruiting new physicians to our state. We are also dealing with the persistence of managed care, loss of autonomy, and the crisis of rising medical malpractice costs and declining reimbursements.

Over the past three years, the SCMS has seen a significant cohesion of its members working cooperatively for important issues at the local and state level. Never before has our Society been more empowered and organized in its efforts to improve the quality of health care for patients in the state of Florida.

Our plan for the next phase of development is to build strong legislative relationships, expand our membership, create a SMCS website, and empower our patients to assure they will continue to receive quality health care in Florida. We will remain committed to continuing the dialogue with state legislatures and their local assistants so they understand the issues effecting physicians and patients in the state of Florida.

Edward J. Gross, M.D., President

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