ASA dues $600 + state society =$1100 -worth it?

[Nightshade]

Hello everybody,

Please help to decide.
My husband is 2d year out of his residency. He's been ASA + state society member all the time.
At the end of 2008 ASA raised their dues from $450 to $600 😱 + you have to pay to your state society of anesthesiologists extra $500.
You can't be a member of ASA if you are not a member of your state society.
Is it worth it? Does it look bad if he is not a member of ASA as a full-time employed anesthesiologist (board certified)?
Convince me why he should pay $1100 a year.

Thank you for your help!

P.S. It was great when he had to pay $25 as a resident

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[BLADEMDA]

Hello everybody,

Please help to decide.
My husband is 2d year out of his residency. He's been ASA + state society member all the time.
At the end of 2008 ASA raised their dues from $450 to $600 😱 + you have to pay to your state society of anesthesiologists extra $500.
You can't be a member of ASA if you are not a member of your state society.
Is it worth it? Does it look bad if he is not a member of ASA as a full-time employed anesthesiologist (board certified)?
Convince me why he should pay $1100 a year.

Thank you for your help!


Yes. The money is well worth it. The ASA is keeping the specialty alive and it is his best chance at a good career. Without the ASA keeping the bloodsuckers at bay your husband is likely to go from a field of medicine into a field of nursing; the results of that alteration will mean a significant pay reduction.

While I am a harsh critic of the ASA it is the best chance we have of maintaining our specialty both economically and poltically. In fact, many of us contribute significantly more to our Federal and State ASA PACs to ensure the survival of the specialty.

Recently, the ASA helped to get an increase in Medicare reimbursement and keep the PANA from passing disastrous legislation.

Your husband's dues are tax deductible as a business expense. His Group or job should pay his dues but, at the least, allow him to pay for that expense pre-tax.

Blade

 

[Pilot Doc]

Agree with blade.

But if that doesn't cut it - then figure out how much money is the right amount and give it to either the national or state PAC.

That's where the real battleground is.

 

[Nightshade]

Yes. The money is well worth it. The ASA is keeping the specialty alive and it is his best chance at a good career. Without the ASA keeping the bloodsuckers at bay your husband is likely to go from a field of medicine into a field of nursing; the results of that alteration will mean a significant pay reduction.

If something like this happens in USA, can you imagine how many doctors will leave the country? NZ, AU - they are willing to accept US trained MDs without any problems. Scare tactics never worked on me 😀. I do realize there are issues which may lead to a pay reduction if nobody fights & nobody cares, but from being an anesthesiologist to becoming a nurse... It is a little bit too dramatic, isn't it? 😉

Anyway, you convinced me. I guess, my husband will stay a member of ASA... money well spent? 🙂

Recently, the ASA helped to get an increase in Medicare reimbursement and keep the PANA from passing disastrous legislation.

Yes, I read at least 3 emails reagrding this issue. It was a good victory 🙂

Your husband's dues are tax deductible as a business expense. His Group or job should pay his dues but, at the least, allow him to pay for that expense pre-tax.

His group doesn't pay his dues, but you're right, it is a tax deductible expense.

 

[Jay K]

I second Blade's comments re: ASA membership as well as contributing to ASA PAC - they've done a lot for us in the field. As anesthesiologists, we have dismal track records in contributing time/money to our PAC in comparison to the CRNA PAC's. I would go as far to say contributing to them both are necessary expenses in order to keep advancing our field (not just business-wise) and maintaining job security in all aspects. In all consideration, it's just a drop in the bucket for a working anesthesiologist.

 

[BLADEMDA]

If something like this happens in USA, can you imagine how many doctors will leave the country? NZ, AU - they are willing to accept US trained MDs without any problems. Scare tactics never worked on me 😀. I do realize there are issues which may lead to a pay reduction if nobody fights & nobody cares, but from being an anesthesiologist to becoming a nurse... It is a little bit too dramatic, isn't it? 😉


Not really. I didn't say your husband will BECOME a Nurse. What I said was the AANA wants to REDUCE Anesthesiology to the LEVEL of an Advanced Practice Nurse. In fact, they are close to doing just that.

The ASA has prevented numerous AANA victories in Independent Anesthesia Practice and Pain Medicine. Without the ASA who will defend Anesthesiology as the practice of Medicine? Who will keep the Nurses from practicing Independently across the USA? Who will maintain our high standards as it regards patient safety and advocacy?

On last comment. The Anesthesiologists in those other countries you mentioned don't earn more than our CRNAs; in fact, the Independent, solo CRNA earns significantly more money than the average Physician outside the USA.

Blade

 

[CanGas]

People always say that people would leave but reality is a little different. Back when you could make ALOT more money in the USA you had people moving from Canada but not in droves like you would expect. Heck, with the crap that managed care has become I'm surprised not more people have moved up to Canada! It's hard to move away from your family (and your spouse away from their family), uproot your kids from their school, have your spouse quit their job, ect.

As for income in AU?
http://mdsalaries.blogspot.com/2007/05/2006-physician-salaries-in-australia.html/
Is you husband doing better than "Aus$245,000 (= US $213,433.23)"? If so, keep paying your dues and actually kick in some extra to your state PAC.

CanGas

If something like this happens in USA, can you imagine how many doctors will leave the country? NZ, AU - they are willing to accept US trained MDs without any problems.

 

[deleted126335]

.

 

[IctalSmile]

oh the joys of being a student. 10 dollars bob!