POMA’s mission is to promote the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine for our patients, our members, and the communities we serve.
The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) proudly represents its professional osteopathic family since 1903. Our family includes more than 12,300 osteopathic physicians, residents & interns and 2,600 osteopathic students. Through the promotion of public health and encouraging scientific research we aim to continue to advance the science and art of osteopathic medicine. As the osteopathic medical field continues to grow, we remain your home for everything osteopathic medicine.
On August 25th, the Commonwealth Supreme Court voted to rescind the venue rule keeping medical liability actions within the county in which the event was alleged to take place.
“The cost of liability insurance for physicians will likely increase,” said Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO, POMA President, “which will decrease patient access to care provided by osteopathic physicians. The court seems to have forgotten the lessons learned in the early 2000s when premiums for coverage represented a substantial investment by physicians required by law in order to practice their profession. Because professional liability insurance is required by law, physicians will find themselves at the mercy of a market they cannot control. Further, the Commonwealth will again be viewed as being hostile to the medical profession.”
The court and the General Assembly made a change in 2003 bringing rational reform to bear in correcting an imbalance in the medical professional liability insurance market which ended venue shopping by requiring the alleged action to be initiated in the county where it took place. It worked. This is a significant setback for the profession. POMA, in collaboration with other state physician organizations, will continue to pursue legislation that will amend the Constitution to permanently stop venue shopping.
POMA Responds to SCOTUS Ruling on Roe v. Wade
POMA Supports the Physician-Patient Relationship June 27, 2022
The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association supports the AOA Statement on the Supreme Court Repealing Roe v. Wade, remaining steadfast in current policies and positions that “support the sanctity and privacy of the patient-physician relationship.”
With the Supreme Court's abortion rulings, state legislatures are now permitted to determine if the right to have an abortion will remain and what limitations, if any, will be imposed on that right. In Pennsylvania, the current PA Abortion Control Act remains in force. The Act is complex with numerous and onerous requirements placed on physicians who perform abortions. Failure to comply with the Act may lead to criminal prosecution and potential loss/suspension of a physician's license to practice. POMA's legal counsel has issued an importantpractice alert discussing the facts of the law for physicians in Pennsylvania.
POMA's Presidential Installation Speech
Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO, FACOFP
2022 POMA President
Benefits of Membership
Whether you are a veteran DO, a resident or a student of osteopathic medicine, POMA works to supply you with the information and connections you need. We are your legislative voice across the state, your advocate for the osteopathic profession, your source for state licensure information and CME credits - we are here to assist and provide everything you need throughout your career as an osteopathic physician in Pennsylvania. Join today and start receiving all the benefits of a POMA Membership!
Looking to become more involved with POMA? We encourage all of our members to contact their District Leaders to find out more about how they can make a difference on their local level. To better provide representation, POMA is divided into 13 districts who regularly meet to discuss issues and news going on within the osteopathic field and within their communities, as well as to offer networking and social opportunities. Click below to find your district and information about their next meeting.
