Soros Advocacy Fellowship for Physicians Guidelines | Grantee List | Case Studies
Philadelphia, PA
2001
Fellowship Partnering Organization: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Home Institution: University of Pennsylvania Health System
Bishop sought to identify and reduce limitations on access to health care imposed by the operations of formularies within mandatory Medicaid managed care. He used a statewide helpline run by his partnering organization, and set up networks of sentinel physicians and pharmacists to monitor problems with formulary operations. Bishop was able to demonstrate serious violations of Medicaid law and state contract, and to work jointly with his partnering organization, the state, and the managed care organizations to correct problems. He also established connections between his partnering organization and physicians to facilitate advocacy on behalf of patients, and created a provider guide on the organization's website.
Fellowship Successes
- Demonstrated repeated contract violations on the part of managed care organizations and communicated this to state Department of Public Welfare;
- With partner organization, met with managed care officials to develop and implement plan of action to correct prescription access problems;
- Delivered Grand Rounds at local institutions on advocacy and facilitation of physician/legal advocacy links;
- Developed provider webpage to aid physicians in understanding Medicaid law and regulations and how to advocate effectively for patients;
- Gained improvement benefits to Medicaid beneficiaries via written comments on proposed regulations for new programs.
Post-Fellowship Successes
- Contracted with national health policy organization to publish results of Medicaid pharmaceutical study;
- Published letters to the editor and op-ed articles on access to health care (Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times Magazine).
