AMA - On the Road with Dr. Rohack

Now the American political process of debate can continue
November 23, 2009
When the Founding Fathers created the structure of American government, the House of Representatives was to be the closest to the citizens with the whole body being elected every two years and thus more accountable for their actions. The Senate, being modeled after the House of Lords, had more permanency with six-year terms  and only a third of the body elected every two years. ... Read More

A courageous House vote—and by one physician in particular
November 20, 2009
When a patient is critically ill and shows the first sign of stabilizing, as physicians we know that cautious optimism is the prudent emotion.... Read More

Congress must show courage to repeal the flawed SGR formula
November 19, 2009
Today we anticipate a vote on H.R. 3961 in the House of Representatives to permanently repeal the fatally flawed Medicare physician payment formula.... Read More

Medicine's future physicians still have the fire to serve
November 18, 2009
Last night I had the opportunity to present the AMA's position on health system reform to a group of students who will inherit the medical profession in a decade. The packed room of those in the Texas A&M Pre-Med Society ranged from freshmen to seniors who are in the process of interviewing for medical school.... Read More

"Numbers crunchers" need to look beyond the cost of reform and consider lives saved
November 17, 2009
As with most clinic days, the unexpected paperwork (e.g., consents for procedures, DME reauthorizations, formulary change authorizations from PBMs, and getting lab results for patients who have insurers with disease management companies that are not linked to our electronic medical record) caused a delay in getting on the road to the airport Monday. Luckily, there were no major traffic issues so I was able to make the drive from Temple to Houston in three hours and enjoyed an uneventful flight to New Orleans.... Read More

Congress can no longer ignore flawed payment system
November 16, 2009

The House of Representatives should vote this week on H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Act of 2009. The AMA and state and specialty societies sent a letter Friday urging swift passage to stabilize Medicare and TRICARE. The next step is in the hands of the House. More steps are needed, but a journey must start with those first steps. Go here for information on calling your representative.

Panel discussion explains physician payment problems
November 13, 2009
I was back in Houston last night participating in a panel discussion on the Business of Health: Expert Insights and Perspectives. It was hosted by the Mays Business School of Texas A&M and held at the Houston Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.... Read More

Tell your representatives to support H.R. 3961
November 12, 2009

Yesterday allowed me to take a deep breath after what was a whirlwind of a week, highlighted by the U.S. House’s passage of health reform legislation last weekend and the AMA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to reform during its Interim Meeting. Now we’re building up to next week’s U.S. House vote on H.R. 3961, the “Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act,” and we need your help.

The task in front of us: passage of H.R. 3961
November 11, 2009
An historic Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates concluded yesterday in Houston, where delegates from across the nation voted on policy that the Board of Trustees and AMA staff now will work on implementing for the next seven months, until the House reconvenes again in June 2010.... Read More

AMA House reaffirms commitment to reform, but there’s still much to do
November 10, 2009
Yesterday was a defining moment for the AMA as its House of Delegates confirmed its commitment to health system reform and continuing to work to make changes that will improve the health care system for physicians and their patients.... Read More

Reference committee testimony reflects passion, differing ideas
November 9, 2009
Full debate begins today on resolutions in the AMA House of Delegates after yesterday's testimony in the reference committees. Resolutions pertaining to health system reform were heard in Reference Committee B. That committee began at 9 a.m. Sunday and concluded at 5 p.m., with only one 10-minute break to attend to biological functions. I was there except for a brief time to appear on Fox's American HQ over the noon hour.... Read More

House passes reform bill, now must repeal SGR
November 8, 2009
Late last night, the House of Representatives took the first step on health system reform that will benefit patients and physicians by passing H.R. 3962 by a 220-215 vote.... Read More

Historic Interim Meeting tops off a busy day
November 7, 2009
My 45-minute presentation to the Harvard Business School on Friday expanded to 90 when the White House representative had to cancel to remain in Washington, D.C., for today's crucial vote in the House of Representatives on health system reform.... Read More

As reform takes shape, medicine comes together
November 6, 2009

The future looked brighter for patients yesterday with two distinct activities in which I participated: the Doctors Back to School program in the morning and the AMA’s press conference in the afternoon announcing support for House bills H.R. 3961 and H.R. 3962. Read yesterday’s post for some of the details on the Doctors Back to School program.

School visits aim to inspire the next generation of physicians
November 5, 2009
Panelists yesterday at Kaiser Permanente's 32nd National Diversity Conference discussed the decreasing percentage of minorities in medicine compared to the population. A noted exception is Asians, who continue to enter medical school in increasing numbers.... Read More

Health insurance is a good first step, but more needs to be done
November 4, 2009
I am writing this from San Francisco, where later this morning I will participate in the 32nd annual National Diversity Conference hosted by Kaiser Permanente.... Read More

Health care delivery, prevention remain a local challenge
November 2, 2009
Once Congress concludes whatever it finally does with health system reform, the reality is that all health care will continue to be local, delivered across the nation in unique communities, each reflecting the rich diversity of the United States.
... Read More