Health System Reform Bulletin
Welcome to the Health System Reform Bulletin, your regular update on efforts by the American Medical Association (AMA) to work with lawmakers in reforming the nation’s health care system in a way that provides quality, affordable health care for all.
Aug. 24, 2009
Senate negotiations continue; Availability of health IT funds announced; New AMA resources available; Physician outreach efforts ongoing
Aug. 12, 2009
AMA clarifies facts on recent examples highlighting amputation and tonsillectomies; AMA President to appear on Larry King Live tonight
July 30, 2009
Energy and Commerce Committee resumes markup; House passes “pay-as-you-go” legislation; New report reveals economic effects of health reform on small businesses
July 21, 2009
Health reform debate heats up; Two House committees report out health reform bills; House reform bill includes Medicare improvements; Senate HELP Committee approves reform bill
July 13, 2009
House committees to unveil formal health system reform bill; Waxman puts legislative process in perspective; AMA leadership meets with HHS secretary; Hospitals agree to reimbursement cuts in health reform deal
July 6, 2009
AMA scores victory on Medicare physician payments; Two important comparative effectiveness reports released; State-by-state reports specify need for reform; Detailed congressional reform proposals anticipated
June 29, 2009
AMA president participates in White House town hall meeting; Congress continues consideration of reform proposals; Federation comments on “meaningful use” of electronic health records
June 15, 2009
President Obama addresses AMA House of Delegates; Rep. Tom Price, MD, discusses health system reform at AMA Annual Meeting; President exempts Medicare physician payments from proposed PayGo rules
June 8, 2009
AMA leadership discusses SGR with senators; Column focuses on effort to "bend the spending curve"; AMA trustees named to HIT subcommittees
June 1, 2009
White House holds health system reform meeting with physicians; AMA comments on Senate Finance Committee options papers; Patient Choice Act introduced in House and Senate
May 26, 2009
Senate Finance Committee releases third reform options paper; AMA and specialties issue joint Medicare payment reform principles; Moderate Republicans offer reform agenda
May 18, 2009
AMA pledge focuses on lower rate of growth in total health spending; Operating plan for Health IT provisions of stimulus law now available; Senate Finance Committee releases second health policy options paper
May 11, 2009
AMA and other health groups pledge to reduce rate of growth in health spending; Obama issues fiscal year 2010 budget; AMA comments on Baucus-Grassley reform options
May 4, 2009
Senate Finance Committee releases policy option paper; Obama notes bipartisan concern about liability costs; AMA board chair participates in meeting of Blue Dog health reform task force
April 27, 2009
Congressional budget reconciliation agreement expected; AMA, specialty societies outline health system reform goals; Senate committee kicks off roundtable discussions
April 20, 2009
AMA president comments on health reform benefits for physicians; AMA advocates for antitrust reform with new FTC Chairman; MedPAC debates health system reform
April 13, 2009
AMA outlines views on achieving president’s health reform goals; White House creates Office of Health Reform; AMA and specialty societies ask budget conferees to support SGR provision
April 6, 2009
AMA's prescription for health reform; AMA leadership meets with White House health reform director; Congressional budget resolutions advance
March 30, 2009
AMA continues talks with Obama administration; Federal budget advances - House proposal would ease Medicare reform effort; Congressional hearings on health reform continue
