(Adopted by the House of Delegates December 1964; amended 1965, 1966, 1972 & 1985 House of Delegates)

(updated as of December 14, 2003)

The New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., is the recognized component society of The American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., in the State of New York. It was incorporated in 1958 as a voluntary, non-profit association of physicians interested in the medical specialty of Anesthesiology. Membership is a privilege, not a right to which any individual is entitled by reason of licensure, certification or whatever, as provided in its Bylaws.

The Society recognizes the principles of Medical Ethics of The American Medical Association and the Statement of Policy of The American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., as the basic guides to the ethical conduct of physicians. However, the Society requires that its members be specifically cognizant of the following policies:

1. The Society recognizes the practice of Anesthesiology as the practice of medicine and not an institutional service. Consequently, it carries with it all the privileges, duties, prerogatives and obligations thereof.
2. Members shall not participate in any arrangement which permits the exploitation of a patient or any colleague, or which permits fraud, deceit, or any restrictions upon the patients securing the maximum benefits of the special knowledge and capabilities of the anesthesiologist.
3. It is the official policy of The New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., that an anesthesiologist is free to choose whatever arrangement he or she prefers for compensation of his or her professional services. The Society does not consider the compensation arrangement so chosen to be a matter of professional ethics. In addition, an anesthesiologist’s compensation arrangements shall not affect his or her eligibility to attain or retain membership in this Society or any of its component societies.
4. Members of this Society shall not join or remain on the medical staff of any hospital or institution where all the anesthesiologists are not accorded corresponding rights, privileges and limitations extended to other members of the medical staff.
5. This Statement of Policy shall not be construed as a mere expression of ideals. Each member of the Society must recognize and assume the responsibility for implementing it. The officers of the Society, through existing channels, shall be charged with the implementation and enforcement of this Policy by whatever means deemed appropriate, but not in conflict with the Bylaws.

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