District 1 candidate Saby Karuppiah
Family Medicine is not what I do, it is who I am. There is much more to being a family physician than just the face-to-face medical care we provide. More than any other specialty, Family Medicine is committed to improving the overall health of all people and because of our profession and our nature, we become an integral part of our communities. Much work has been accomplished towards these goals yet significant challenges lie ahead. Our advocacy efforts are beginning to pay off.
Reducing the number of uninsured, expanding support for preventive care services, and increasing payment for primary care services are positive incremental steps. Equally important is the expanded understanding of the essential value Family Medicine provides to a high quality and cost-effective healthcare system. The reform debate has educated leaders in Congress, the administration, health plans, employers, and the public at large that Family Medicine is, and must be, the foundation of an improved healthcare system. Our Academy has utilized this opportunity to educate these same leaders about the very serious threats to the viability of our specialty. While progress has been made, much remains to be done in achieving our goals, and in protecting the gains that have been made. We can learn and grow in response to these challenges. Serving on the AMA Governing Council during these events has been a tremendous learning experience and one which has not only honed my skills but has also whetted my appetite to finish the job. I predict there is a bright future for Family Medicine and the KAFP. I am committed to lending my full energies to creating that future. One of my goals is to advocate for the expansion of Medicaid in Kansas. I have the necessary skills and experience to help lead us toward that bright future. I need your support to serve on the KAFP board.