June 2, 2020
Dan Finch, a trusted advocate for Texas physicians for nearly 40 years, is the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) new vice president for advocacy, TMA Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Darrouzet announced today.
“Dan brings tremendous knowledge, outstanding relationships on both sides of the aisle in Austin and in Washington, and an intuitive understanding of Texas physicians’ needs and concerns,” Mr. Darrouzet said. “He provides the stability our physicians require at this critical juncture in Texas health care, economics, and politics.”
Mr. Finch has served as TMA director of legislative affairs since 2006, which followed a 24-year run in a similar position at the Harris County Medical Society – the nation’s largest county medical society. Since earning his journalism degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975, Mr. Finch has spent nearly all of his professional career in organized medicine. He worked for the North Carolina Medical Society and the American Medical Association before moving to Houston in 1982.
“A doctor long ago told me if we do what’s right for patients, we’ll do what’s right for physicians, and that’s always been my guiding light,” he said.
Moving forward, Mr. Finch said “making sure folks who need access to care get access to care” is the biggest challenge for his team and Texas physicians in working with the U.S. Congress and the Texas Legislature. The downturn in the economy increases patients’ need for safety net medical services, while it also places a nearly unprecedented drain on the Texas Treasury.
“Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are counter-cyclical with the economy,” he said. “We have to apply creative solutions to make sure we don’t just drive up costs by sending patients to the emergency room.”
Mr. Finch said he is particularly concerned about preserving hospitals and physicians’ practices in rural Texas. “It is an ongoing and continuous challenge to maintain small rural hospitals and, in turn, the physicians and nurses and everyone who works in those hospitals,” he said.
Mr. Finch praised his predecessor for putting together an excellent public affairs team that has remained intact and risen to the multiple challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented.
“TMA is blessed with a really talented squad,” he said. “They’ve worked together for a decade or more, and contribute a wealth of experience in health policy and working with legislature. I can’t imagine working with a more talented and dedicated group.”
Mr. Finch and his wife, Becky, live in Austin.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 53,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
--30--
TMA Contacts: Brent Annear(512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320
Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336
Connect with TMA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Check out MeAndMyDoctor.com for interesting and timely news on health care issues and policy.