The New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME) has announced the formation of five workgroups that will make recommendations to the New York State Department of Health regarding GME policy priorities and potential items to be included in next year's State budget. The formation of these workgroups follows a speech that NYS Commissioner of Health Richard Daines, M.D. made to COGME, in which he identified specific areas of concern for the State as it reviews the methodology by which GME is financed. The five workgroups are tasked with the following activities.  

Transparency and Accountability of GME Workgroup: Has been asked to review what costs are being supported by GME payments, whether those costs are appropriate for GME funding, and how New York's reimbursement system compares with other states. 

Physician Supply Workgroup: Is reviewing the future physician needs of New York and the country and reviewing whether specific incentives can be developed to influence specialty choice or choice of practice setting.

Quality of GME Workgroup: Will be looking at different metrics that might be used to identify varying levels of quality among training programs and teaching institutions.

Cultural Competence Workgroup: Will be looking at how cultural and linguistic competence might be improved for residents training in the State's GME programs. 

Biomedical Research Workgroup: Will be discussing whether any correlation between GME funding and biomedical research should be expected. 

The workgroups comprise COGME members and expert consultants. GNYHA staff has been asked to act as a consultant to the Transparency and Accountability of GME Workgroup and the Quality of GME Workgroup.

The workgroups are reporting on their progress at the COGME Plenary Session on July 23, 2007. They are expected to produce written reports to the NYS Department of Health regarding their topics—and include recommendations for specific State budget items—by September.