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February 1, 2008

eVoice^®

Jan. 31, 2008

AMA eVoice is your regular update on the most important health care issues and recent AMA activities.

The AMA is committed to communication. We encourage you to help us spread the word by forwarding AMA eVoice to your colleagues.

Your news interests
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.

Faculty practice physician issues
1) AMA practice tip: How to challenge your "profile" or placement in a tiered or narrow network

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues
1) Request for nominations: AMA Advisory Committee on GLBT Issues
2) In JAMA: Studies illuminate HIV's inequalities

Group practice physician issues
1) Aurora medication safety initiative earns recognition
2) AMA resource covers electronic claims submissions

International medical graduate issues
1) Wanted: Candidates for the AMA-IMG Section Governing Council
2) Nominations sought for two AMA special groups' governing councils

Medical school news
1) Save the date: AMA-SMS June meeting
2) Callout for annual 2008 resolutions
3) AMA-SMS Governing Council seeks nominees

Medical student issues
1) AMA offers health policy opportunities for medical students
2) Mark your calendar for Lobby Day, March 31
3) Save the dates for upcoming AMA-MSS regional meetings
4) New resources available from the AMA-MSS Committee on Legislation and Advocacy
5) Learn more about the AMA-MSS and LCME relationship

Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
1) Nominations sought for AMA-MAC leadership positions
2) New online video covers universal HIV screening

Organized medical staff issues
1) View webcast on keys to successful implementation of revised Standard MS.1.20
2) Now available: "Physician's guide to medical staff organization bylaws"
3) Printable version of "Principles for strengthening the physician-hospital relationship" available online
4) Comment period now open for draft clinical performance measures for cardiovascular disease

Resident and fellow issues
1) In AMNews: Fellow physician in forefront as AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" goes national
2) In the Associated Press: AMA lends support to medical students
3) AMA-RFS wants to recognize your achievements

Senior physicians issues
1) Medicare covers nutritional therapy for diabetes and renal disease
2) Looking to find a senior physicians group in your area?

Women physician and women's health issues
1) Report: Vitamin D2 supplements and preventing falls among older women
2) AMA-WPC searching for leaders
3) Last chance to submit your application

Young physician issues
1) Apply now for AMPAC's political education programs
2) Don your white coat and make your voice heard
3) View webcast on keys to successful implementation of revised Standard MS.1.20
4) Does your office have a visible nondiscrimination statement posted for patients?

General AMA news:
1) Medical students’ victory in California tuition lawsuit will stand
2) Unite with medical colleagues at April 2 Capitol Hill rally
3) Have you ordered your influenza vaccine for next season?
4) Receive e-mail alerts when AMA’s Web-based videos are released
5) Sign up for worry-free travel benefit by March 31
6) In JAMA: Common drug-releasing coronary stents appear to have similar clinical outcomes

Your news interests
Sign up to receive customized AMA eVoice messages.

Faculty practice physician issues

1) AMA practice tip: How to challenge your "profile" or placement in a tiered or narrow network
The AMA created a flier that offers physicians eight steps to follow when challenging their network placement with insurers. These steps in the one-page resource, "How to challenge your ‘profile' or placement in a tiered or narrow network," mirror the problems physicians have identified with these types of programs, such as the use of claims date, inadequate risk adjustment, lack of an appeal mechanism or the use of invalid ratings.

AMA members can view and download the flier at no charge.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender physician issues

1) Request for nominations: AMA Advisory Committee on GLBT Issues
The AMA is soliciting nominations for three open positions on the AMA Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Issues with terms beginning in June. All nominations are due Feb. 22.

The seven-member advisory committee is composed of three at-large members and four members who represent the AMA Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS), AMA Resident and Fellow Section, AMA Young Physician Section, and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) respectively. Appointments will be made for the at-large, AMA-MSS, and GLMA representatives.

If you are interested in being considered as a nominee, please visit the Web site for additional information and a nomination form. You or your respective organization should then send your completed form to the AMA by Feb. 22. For further information, contact Michael Kutnick by sending an e-mail or calling (312) 464–4335.

2) In JAMA: Studies illuminate HIV's inequalities
An article from the Jan. 23 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) describes new research that begins to explain why gay and bisexual black men carry such a disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States and how intricately woven the epidemic's web of human behavior, microbial interaction and treatment access has become.

View the JAMA article.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Group practice physician issues

1) Aurora medication safety initiative earns recognition
Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin recently received recognition from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices for a unique initiative focusing on medication safety in the medical clinic. The Institute selected Aurora's Walworth County Patient Safety Council for a Cheers Award, which honors individuals, organizations and companies that have set a superlative standard of excellence for others to follow in the prevention of medication errors and adverse drug events. Patients and a safety expert from Midwest Airlines joined with Aurora physicians and pharmacists to implement an effort that improved medication safety for local senior citizens. "A key element of our commitment to enhance safety is the involvement of the community, which has helped us to approach our initiatives from the patient's perspective," said Kathryn Leonhardt, MD, Aurora's patient safety officer and medical director of care management. Dr. Leonhardt also sits on the AMA's Advisory Committee on Group Practice Physicians. Aurora has care sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

Learn more.

2) AMA resource covers electronic claims submissions
The AMA, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Medical Society, developed the educational resource, "The benefits of electronic claims submission—improve practice efficiencies." This resource helps physicians and their practice staffs understand the electronic claims submission process and the many benefits that may be realized by submitting claims electronically to health plan payers, and discusses the reduction of claim submission costs and errors, and offers tips on getting started with electronic submission.

AMA members can view (PDF, 125KB) and download this resource at no charge.

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International medical graduate issues

1) Wanted: Candidates for the AMA-IMG Section Governing Council
The AMA-IMG Section Governing Council is seeking candidates to fill one IMG resident/fellow position and two physician positions for its 2008 election. Nomination applications are due March 7, and candidates will be elected in mid-April by AMA-IMG Section members. All candidates must submit an application, curriculum vitae and high-resolution electronic photo. Endorsements and letters of support from medical associations are optional.

Those interested in the resident/fellow position must apply to the AMA Resident and Fellow Section first. Send an e-mail for instructions on how to apply for the resident/fellow position.

Download (Word, 68KB) a nomination form.

2) Nominations sought for two AMA special groups' governing councils
The AMA is seeking nominations for the governing councils of the AMA Advisory Committee on Group Practice Physicians and AMA Senior Physicians Group (AMA-SPG).

The AMA Advisory Committee on Group Practice Physicians Governing Council is composed of 11 physicians practicing medicine in a medical group or faculty practice setting. Nominees must be leaders within their group practices, (i.e., chief executive officer, chief operating officer, board chair, department chair, etc.), and active members of the AMA and organized medicine. Candidates must also be available to serve a minimum of one three-year term, starting July 1.

The AMA Board of Trustees will review nominations and appoint new committee members at its meeting in April. To ensure consideration of your candidates, nominations must be received by Feb. 25.

Nominate a candidate.

Learn more about the committee.

The AMA-SPG Governing Council, composed of seven physicians over the age of 55 either retired or still practicing medicine, is also seeking nominations. This group is charged with advising the AMA Board of Trustees and staff on issues that bear directly on senior physicians.

View all nomination materials, including the current governing council roster. Nominations must be received by Feb. 25. Contact Carrie Waller at (312) 464–4546 with questions.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Medical school news
(Brought to you by the AMA Section on Medical Schools)

1) Save the date: AMA-SMS June meeting
The next AMA-SMS meeting will be held June 13–15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This meeting will provide medical education colleagues an opportunity to network, help develop AMA policy, discuss issues affecting medical education and elect the next AMA-SMS Governing Council.

On June 13, the AMA-SMS will hold a joint educational session with the AMA Medical Student Section presenting an update on the comprehensive review of the United States Medical Licensing Examination and licensure implications. The section will also hold a joint educational program with the AMA Councils on Medical Education and Science and Public Health on the state of the faculty, featuring speaker Darrell Kirch, MD, president of the Association of American Medical Colleges. On June 14, the AMA-SMS will present a panel on teaching and teamwork and its impact on patient care.

Visit the Web site mid-February or send an e-mail to Jackie Drake for meeting details.

2) Callout for annual 2008 resolutions
The AMA-SMS Resolutions Subcommittee is seeking ideas and/or actual language for resolutions that address areas of importance to academic physicians. These ideas will be considered at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in June.

Resolutions are due April 21.

Send an e-mail to Jackie Drake if you have questions or a proposed resolution.

3) AMA-SMS Governing Council seeks nominees
Applications are due May 5 for several positions on the 2008–2009 AMA-SMS Governing Council—chair-elect, three members-at-large, delegate and alternate delegate. Elections will be held at the June AMA-SMS meeting.

Learn more about these leadership positions and download an application form.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Medical student issues

1) AMA offers health policy opportunities for medical students
The AMA-MSS offers assistance to students seeking to increase their involvement and education in national health policy and in national legislative activities of organized medicine.

The Government Relations Internship Program (GRIP) is an opportunity for medical student members of the AMA to enhance their medical education through work in health care policy. Students must arrange their own six- to eight-week internships—between June and August—in advance. The deadline to apply for the GRIP is Feb. 15.

Learn more about the GRIP.

2) Mark your calendar for Lobby Day, March 31
The AMA's 2008 Medical Student/Resident and Fellow Lobby Day will be held March 31, at the Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Lobby Day activities include educational sessions on effective advocacy and lobbying techniques, briefings on legislative issues currently before Congress, and a full afternoon on Capitol Hill meeting with legislators and their staff.

The AMA will provide—on a first-come, first-served basis—a limited number of complimentary hotel rooms for AMA members for the night of March 30; however, anyone may attend the events on March 31 at no charge.

Visit the Web site for more information and to register. The registration deadline is Feb. 15.

3) Save the dates for upcoming AMA-MSS regional meetings
AMA-MSS Regions 2, 5, 6 and 7 have meetings coming up, and you're invited.

The AMA-MSS Region 2 Meeting, entitled "Perspectives on genetic discrimination," will be held Feb. 29–March 1 at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa.

The AMA-MSS Region 5 Meeting, entitled "What can purple do for you?" will be held Feb. 29–March 1 at the West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown, W.Va.

The AMA-MSS Region 6 Meeting, entitled "Students today, physicians tomorrow: The new face of medicine," will be held Feb. 1–2 at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The AMA-MSS Region 7 Meeting, entitled "Becoming a better physician advocate," will be held March 1 at Stony Brook University Health Sciences Center in Long Island, N.Y.

Visit the Web site for more information on all region meetings.

4) New resources available from the AMA-MSS Committee on Legislation and Advocacy
The AMA-MSS Committee on Legislation and Advocacy (COLA) is responsible for creating and maintaining a network of AMA-MSS chapters to promote grassroots political action. To this end, COLA has developed issue briefs and detailed presentations on a wide range of health policy issues, including access to care, health information technology, and medical student debt and information on 20/220.

Learn more.

COLA has also developed a chapter advocacy event Web page to highlight exceptional advocacy events held by AMA-MSS chapter across the country. Visit the Web site to check out this great resource and obtain event ideas and contact information for successful event organizers.

Visit the Web site if your chapter has hosted a successful advocacy event and you would like to share your success with others. Simply complete the chapter advocacy event follow-up form.

Send an e-mail with ideas for resources you'd like to see available or thoughts on how COLA can help your chapter in its advocacy or education efforts.

5) Learn more about the AMA-MSS and LCME relationship
AMA-MSS members are appointed to serve as liaisons to AMA councils and various organizations and groups who work closely with the AMA. Christopher Zammit, a student at New York Medical College, is the current AMA student representative to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The LCME is the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the doctor of medicine degree in U.S. and Canadian allopathic medical schools. In simpler terms, the LCME ensures that U.S. and Canadian allopathic medical schools are "up to snuff," with each school being required to demonstrate that it meets each of LCME's standards to retain its accreditation.

Learn more about the LCME and how you can become involved.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Minority health issues and professional concerns of minority physicians
(brought to you by the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium)

1) Nominations sought for AMA-MAC leadership positions
Make your voice heard in the AMA-MAC by submitting nominations for key leadership positions on the AMA-MAC Governing Council; members will be elected or appointed this spring. Two elected positions and three appointed positions are open for nomination:

One elected delegate—This governing council member is the voice of the AMA-MAC in the AMA House of Delegates and will be elected by the AMA-MAC membership to serve a three-year term to begin in June.
One elected at-large member—This at-large member will be elected by the AMA-MAC membership to serve a two-year term to begin in June.
Three appointed representatives—Representatives from the National Medical Association (NMA), AMA Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS), and AMA Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS) will be appointed by these respective groups.

The nomination deadline is Feb. 15. (Please note that AMA sections may have earlier deadlines.) Electronic photos and statements of interest are required.

Apply for the AMA-MAC Governing Council at-large and delegate positions.

Visit the AMA-MSS or AMA-RFS Web sites respectively, to submit nominations for the AMA-MSS or AMA-RFS representative positions on the AMA-MAC Governing Council. All nominations must be submitted through the respective section's Web site.

Visit the Web site to contact the NMA regarding its appointed representative on the AMA-MAC Governing Council.

2) New online video covers universal HIV screening
Approximately 1 million people in the United States are believed to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A quarter of them may be unaware they are infected, thus not getting necessary treatment and risking the unintentional transmission of HIV to others.

The AMA released the new online educational video, "Universal HIV screening and reducing HIV disparities," as part of its Educating Physicians on Controversies in Health series. The five-minute streaming video aims to educate physicians on the implementation of universal HIV screening in practice as a strategy to reduce the transmission of HIV, which disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities.

View this and other free videos in the series. Also, learn more about how you can earn continuing medical education credit through this series.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Organized medical staff issues

1) View webcast on keys to successful implementation of revised Standard MS.1.20
The AMA-OMSS launched a 90-minute webcast that addresses how medical staffs can successfully implement the revised Joint Commission Medical Staff Bylaws Standard MS.1.20—and provides an overview of the recently adopted revisions. Compliance with this standard by July 2009 is critical to preserving medical staff self-governance.

AMA members can view the webcast at no charge.

2) Now available: "Physician's guide to medical staff organization bylaws"
Because medical staff bylaws are considered a contract and legally binding in most states, it is extremely important that they are well designed and well written. The fourth edition of the "Physician's guide to medical staff organization bylaws" contains practical guidance on bylaws development, model bylaw language, information on emerging issues and recent trends in medical staff re-engineering. The guide will be especially helpful to medical staffs as they update their bylaws to align with the revised Joint Commission Standard MS.1.20.

AMA members can view (PDF, 995KB) the guide at no charge. Non-AMA members will be able to purchase the guide in the coming weeks.

3) Printable version of "Principles for strengthening the physician-hospital relationship" available online
A printable version of the "Principles for strengthening the physician-hospital relationship," developed by the AMA-OMSS and adopted by the AMA House of Delegates, is now available online.

View (PDF, 90KB) and download this resource. These principles are designed to improve the working relationship between physicians and hospitals, and ultimately foster better patient care and increase patient safety.

Send an e-mail to order a poster of the principles to post in your medical staff lounge.

4) Comment period now open for draft clinical performance measures for cardiovascular disease
Review and submit your comments on the draft document, "American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical performance measures for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults."

View the draft document and obtain a review form. The public comment period will be open for 30 days; all comments must be submitted by Feb. 22.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Resident and fellow issues

1) In AMNews: Fellow physician in forefront as AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" goes national
The AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign is being rolled out nationally after targeting early presidential primary states, according to an article in the Feb. 4 issue of American Medical News (AMNews). This year, the campaign will spend $15 million to raise awareness of the problem of the uninsured using print, television, radio and Internet ads; healthy lifestyle events; mobile billboards; and profiles on popular social networking sites, including MySpace and Facebook. The effort has two main goals, according to AMA Trustee Samantha L. Rosman, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine fellow in Boston. "The first is to put a human face on the issue of the uninsured," she said. "We're trying to get the message out that the uninsured is not just a statistic, but really individuals who are suffering as a result. The second is to then, with that information, motivate people to go to the voting booth with that in mind—to demand from candidates from both parties they come up with not only a plan but a commitment to take action if elected."

Visit the Web site for more information on the AMA's uninsured campaign and view the AMNews article.

2) In the Associated Press: AMA lends support to medical students
The California Supreme Court upheld a decision ordering the University of California (UC) to issue refunds to tens of thousands of students whose tuition and fees were raised after classes had already begun, according to a Jan. 24 article from the Associated Press. The high court's refusal to hear the UC system's appeal of the case clears the way for medical students enrolled in 2003 to be reimbursed. Students could receive amounts ranging from several hundred dollars to more than $10,000, lawyers said. The AMA weighed in by filing an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief in support of the medical student plaintiffs in this case.

View the Associated Press article.

3) AMA-RFS wants to recognize your achievements
The AMA-RFS is accepting applications for two awards:

The annual Jordan Fieldman, MD, Award recognizes a resident or fellow member of the AMA who has shown an interest in public health advocacy issues.
The Paul Ambrose Award for leadership among resident/fellow physicians recognizes and encourages excellence in leadership development within public health by resident/fellow physicians.

The deadline for both awards is Feb. 29.

Visit the Web site for more information and applications.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Senior Physicians issues

1) Medicare covers nutritional therapy for diabetes and renal disease
In an effort to help Medicare beneficiaries learn more about preventive services covered under Medicare, the AMA-SPG will feature a specific covered service regularly in AMA eVoice.

Medical conditions and illnesses can be better managed and corrected with a specific diet, helping to contribute to the success of a medical treatment. For seniors with diabetes or renal disease, medical nutritional therapy services are covered under Medicare. Medicare will pay for up to three hours of one-on-one counseling services the first year, and two hours each year after. Services can be provided by either a registered dietician or other Medicare-approved nutrition professional.

Learn more.

2) Looking to find a senior physicians group in your area?
Over the past two years, the AMA-SPG has developed a listing of national, state and specialty seniors' groups across the United States. The network has grown to almost 50 senior physicians groups, representing over 2,500 senior physicians across the country. The groups help to expand our base and strengthen the voice of senior physicians nationwide.

Learn more and view other seniors' physicians groups throughout the country.

Send an e-mail to Alice Reed if you know a senior physicians group in your area and would like to have it added to our network.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Women physician and women's health issues
(brought to you by the AMA Women Physicians Congress)

1) Report: Vitamin D2 supplements and preventing falls among older women
According to a report in the Jan. 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, vitamin D2 supplements appear to reduce the risk of falls among women with a history of falling and low blood vitamin D levels, and who live in sunny climates, especially during the winter.

View the report.

2) AMA-WPC searching for leaders
The AMA-WPC would like you to submit nominations for key leadership positions on the AMA-WPC Governing Council; members will be elected or appointed this spring. Five elected positions, including three section representative positions, are open for nomination:

Two elected at-large members—Two governing council members will be elected by the AMA-WPC membership to serve a two-year term to begin in June.
Three elected AMA section representatives—Representatives from the AMA Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS), AMA Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS) and AMA Young Physician Section (AMA-YPS) will be elected by the AMA-WPC membership at large. Nominations should be submitted through the respective sections only.

Nominations are due Feb. 15. (Please note that AMA sections may have earlier deadlines.) Electronic photos and statements of interest are required.

Apply for the AMA-WPC Governing Council at-large positions.

Visit the AMA-MSS, AMA-RFS or AMA-YPS Web sites respectively, to submit nominations for the AMA-MSS, AMA-RFS or AMA-YPS representative positions on the AMA-WPC Governing Council. All nominations must be submitted through the respective section's Web site.

3) Last chance to submit your application
Applications for the 2008 Joan F. Giambalvo Scholarship Fund are due Feb. 1. The scholarship was established by the AMA-WPC with the goal of advancing the progress of women in the medical profession and strengthening the AMA's ability to identify and address the needs and interests of women physicians and medical students.

Learn more and download an application.

>>Return to your news interest contents

Young physician issues

1) Apply now for AMPAC's political education programs
The American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC) is hosting two upcoming educational programs—a Candidate Workshop and a Campaign School—for members who want to deepen their involvement in the political process.

The AMPAC Candidate Workshop, to be held Feb. 29–March 2, in Arlington, Va., is designed for AMA members and their spouses who are considering a run for public office. Hands-on training will focus on campaign strategy, media advertising, public speaking and fundraising.
AMPAC's Campaign School is scheduled for April 9–13 in Arlington, Va. The school is intended for AMA members who wish to become more politically involved, either as grassroots advocates or as candidates for public office, and will be structured around a simulated congressional campaign.

Costs for these programs, excluding transportation costs to the Washington, D.C. area, are covered by AMPAC.

Visit the Web site for more information and to download an application.

2) Don your white coat and make your voice heard
Register now for AMA's National Advocacy Conference scheduled April 1–2 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. This conference offers physicians an outstanding opportunity to hear from real insiders—including former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow—about the upcoming elections and the political climate.

Put on your white coat and join your colleagues at an April 2 Capitol Hill rally intended to hold lawmakers accountable for their promises regarding Medicare physician payments. After the rally, meet with your members of Congress and their staffs to advocate for patients, the medical profession and the future of medicine.

Learn more and register.

3) View webcast on keys to successful implementation of revised Standard MS.1.20
The AMA-OMSS launched a 90-minute webcast that addresses how medical staffs can successfully implement the revised Joint Commission Medical Staff Bylaws Standard MS.1.20—and provides an overview of the recently adopted revisions. Compliance with this standard by July 2009 is critical to preserving medical staff self-governance.

AMA members can view the webcast at no charge.

4) Does your office have a visible nondiscrimination statement posted for patients?
The AMA recently updated a sample nondiscrimination statement as a result of an AMA Board of Trustees report adopted at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. The report asked the AMA to work with state medical societies to provide physicians with a sample printed nondiscrimination policy suitable for framing.

Displaying the statement is one small, but important, step to increasing the comfort level of all patients entering the physician's office.

Download the sample statement at no charge.

>>Return to your news interest contents

General AMA news

1) Medical students' victory in California tuition lawsuit will stand
The latest development in a closely watched legal battle involving student tuition hikes is good news for medical students—and marks another victory for the AMA Litigation Center.

The California Supreme Court on Jan. 23 declined to review an appeal filed by the University of California (UC) in Kashmiri v UC Regents. A lower court had ruled in November 2007 that UC had broken implied contracts with its students after raising professional degree program fees. The case began in 2003 when students from UC's professional schools filed a lawsuit for breach of contract based on UC's repeatedly raising their tuition and fees, despite having promised not to do so.

The AMA Litigation Center and the California Medical Association filed an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief in May 2007 in support of the students, pointing out that increases in tuition worsen medical students' already steep debt burden and can worsen physician shortages in medically underserved areas and some medical specialties, and often disproportionately affecting minority populations.

In light of the high court's decision, UC must issue an estimated $40 million in refunds and interest to those affected, most of which will go to those enrolled in UC professional graduate degree programs before 2003.