2008-09 President Archive
M. Todd Williamson, M.D.
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10.29.09 MAG leaders travel to D.C. to tell Congressional leaders "no place for big government in exam room"
10.29.09 MAG, coalition rep tells Congressional leaders "no place for big government in exam room" in D.C.
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09.15.09 MAG president to be interviewed on MSNBC today at 3:30 p.m.
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., is scheduled to be interviewed by MSNBC anchor David Shuster at 3:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, September 15. He will be discussing national health care reform.
09.14.09 MAG president discusses health care reform debate on WXIA-News 11 Atlanta
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08.26.09 MAG president promotes right for patients-physicians to contract in AJC
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08.17.09 MAG president guest on Lars Larson Show
MAG President M. Todd Williamson discussed national health care reform on the nationally-syndicated "Lars Larson Show" on Monday, August 17.
Listen to the interview
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08.14.09 MAG president on "America’s Health Care Town Hall" panel Saturday
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08.11.09 MAG president receives standing ovation at town hall
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08.03.09 MAG president featured in AJC
07.26.09 MAG president debates health care reform
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07.24 MAG leader comments on President's implication that physicians put profits ahead of patients
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07.22.09 President pushes his health care reforms, Medical Association of Georgia fights them
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07.22.09 MAG instrumental in coalition calling for "patient-centered" health care
MAG concerns about national health care reform are shared by a number of other state and specialty medical societies who formed a coalition last year and met in January. Since then, the coalition has been involved in Congressional testimony and presenting resolutions at the AMA.
On Tuesday, July 21, MAG released a letter from MAG and a coalition of six state medical associations, one county medical society and three specialty societies along with two past presidents of the AMA expressing our concerns regarding the health care reform legislation moving forward in Congress. This coalition represents more than 43,000 physicians across the nation. On Wednesday, July 23, Dr. Williamson was the coalition's spokesman at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
While in Washington, D.C., Dr. Williamson and Executive Director David Cook visited six members of the congressional delegation to discuss H.R. 3200. MAG has urged the Georgia Blue Dog Democrats to oppose H.R. 3200 and to adopt positions consistent with the principles outlined by the coalition.
MAG considers the indefinite postponement of the Energy & Commerce Committee's markup of H.R. 3200 a success. As Dr. Williamson and Cook were walking past the Energy & Commerce Committee room, they noted the sign on the door announcing the postponement. Dr. Williamson is seen above holding that sign in front of the Committee room.
Read MAG's press release
Read Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights press release
06.25.09 MAG president testifies before House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Dr. Williamson's five-minute testimony during House hearing on health care reform "discussion draft"
Read Dr. Williamson's testimony
Dr. Williamson's Q&A (12 minutes)
Full Q&A (1.5 hours)
06.25.09 MAG president on health care reform on NPR/PBS Atlanta
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Listen to Part II
06.23.09 MAG president to testify before congress, interviewed by NPR/PBS
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., has been interviewed by WABE 90.1 FM (NPR/PBS, Atlanta) on national health care reform issues for a report that is scheduled to air in two parts: today, Tuesday, June 23 at 5:44 p.m and this Thursday, June 25 at 5:44 p.m. Dr. Williamson is also scheduled to testify on a national health care reform legislation "discussion draft" before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy & Commerce this Thursday, June 25 at 9 a.m.; additional details will be posted on www.mag.org as they become available.
05.20.09 The Medical Association of Georgia and the future of medicine in the state are at a crossroads
Dear Colleague,
I genuinely believe that the practice of medicine is at a crossroads. As physicians, we can accept what's coming our way - or we can take an active role in shaping our future. That's why I’m appealing to you to join the Medical Association of Georgia.
MAG is the most influential organization that we have at our disposal as physicians in Georgia. It's the leading legislative and legal advocate for physicians in the state. Consider that ...
Read Dr. Williamson's full letter to colleagues
05.05.09 Georgia physicians applaud "Super Speeder" law as good step
ATLANTA – M. Todd Williamson, M.D., the president of the Medical Association of Georgia, says that the state’s trauma care system took an important step when Gov. Sonny Perdue signed H.B. 160 into law today at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite – a move that’s expected to raise $23 million for trauma care in its first year. Above, Dr. Williamson poses with Gov. Perdue, Georgia's Trauma Care Network Commission Chairman Dennis Ashley, M.D., and MAG Trauma Task Force Vice Chairman James Barber, M.D., after the bill signing ceremony. (Photo courtesy the Office of the Governor)
04.30.09 Georgia physicians say flu vaccine bill good for patients
ATLANTA – M. Todd Williamson, M.D., the president of the Medical Association of Georgia, says that patient safety was the catalyst for the "Access to Flu Vaccines Act" (H.B. 217), which Gov. Sonny Perdue recognized with a ceremony in his office at the State Capitol today. Above, Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman), Dr. Williamson and MAG Associate General Counsel Brian Looby attend the ceremony.
Read press release
04.02.09 MAG president reiterates call for patient choice, restoration of physician-patient relationship on The Herman Cain Show
During The Herman Cain Show (WSB 750 AM) on Tuesday night, MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., discussed the need for health care reform, including the concept of "balanced billing" and the need to restore the physician-patient relationship - messages he delivered to a congressional subcommittee several weeks ago on behalf of six state medical societies representing 35,000 physicians.
Download an MP3 recording of Dr. Williamson's March 31 interview with Herman Cain
Read Dr. Williamson's testimony
View Dr. Williamson's testimony
Read MAG's full news article
03.30.09 MAG president booked for Herman Cain Show on WSB 750 AM at 8:06 p.m. on Tuesday
The Medical Association of Georgia President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., will be a featured guest for 30 minutes on The Herman Cain Show program on WSB Radio 750 AM tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31 beginning at 8:06 p.m.
He will discuss the need for health care reform, including the concept of "balanced billing" and the need to restore the physician-patient relationship - messages he delivered to a congressional subcommittee several weeks ago on behalf of six state medical societies representing 35,000 physicians.
WSB is the top-rated AM station among most demographic audiences in Atlanta. Cain's audience is placed at about 325,000 listeners per week, and his program can be heard in as many as 38 states.
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03.19.09 MAG President interviewed by Georgia Public Radio (90.1 FM) on Medicaid/budget
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03.10.09 MAG President calls for patient choice, restoration of physician-patient relationship in Congressional testimony
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., told the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health today that the keys to maintaining the best health care in the world are to let patients choose where they receive their care and to restore the patient-physician relationship. He testified on behalf of six state medical societies that represent more than 35,000 physicians, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
View Dr. Williamson's testimony
Read Dr. Williamson's testimony
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Read MAG news article
02.27.09 MAG president, CEO address Gwinnett-Forsyth CMS with legislative update
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., and MAG CEO David Cook provided more than 20 members of the Gwinnett-Forsyth County Medical Society with a legislative update at a meeting on February 26 in Lawrenceville. Dr. Williamson discussed state legislation, while Cook addressed health reform and legislation at the federal level.
02.24.09 MAG president testifies on H.B. 509 during House HHS Committee
President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., spoke to members of the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday, February 24. His comments focused on H.B. 509. He went on to say, "H.B. 509 is an extensive bill that is 111 pages in length and rewrites almost the entire law governing the practice of medicine in our state. The Medical Association of Georgia would agree that the laws governing health care professionals regulated by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners is in need of updating. However, we believe that any rewrite of the Medical Practice Act should be a deliberate process that affords those impacted by the revisions an opportunity to fully assess the ramifications and potential unintended consequences of the revisions."
Read Dr. Williamson's testimony to HHS
Read MAG comments to Rep. Sharon Cooper
02.23.09 MAG president speaks out for trauma care at Capitol
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., and several MAG physicians attended an event to support funding the trauma care system in Georgia. Dr. Williamson spoke to a group of 300-400 trauma care supporters and gave interviews to several news outlets.
The event was organized by It's About Time. Go to www.georgiaitsabouttime.org to sign an e-petition supporting a statewide trauma care system.
Read MAG press release
10.06.08 Lawrenceville neurologist assumes MAG presidency
Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D., MAG Immediate Past President, administers the oath of office to incoming president M. Todd Williamson, M.D., at MAG's annual House of Delegates meeting.
M. Todd Williamson, M.D., a Lawrenceville-based neurologist, was sworn in as the president of the Medical Association of Georgia at its 154th House of Delegates meeting Saturday, October 4.
During his installation speech, Dr. Williamson told the group that, "We must return control of health care delivery to patients and their doctors. That's why MAG is here, and that is what I pledge to do."