AMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES2009 Annual MeetingNews from the 158th Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association's House of Delegates, held June 13-17 in Chicago.Audio slide show Coverage of the meetingAMA reaffirms stance in health system reform debateThe Association keeps its options open on public plan issue amid calls from some delegates to take a stand. Don't shortchange specialists to fund care model The AMA will ask CMS to help practices become patient-centered medical homes and to support models that allow non-primary care doctors to qualify. Doctors get to see how ethics bar is set An AMA-sponsored fellowship adds to its online curriculum the study of how ethics policy is made at the Annual Meeting. Doctors object to penalties for avoiding EHRs Delegates call for eliminating Medicare penalties for failing to show "meaningful use" of electronic records by 2015. But some fear incentives could also go. More to do on tobacco control The Association seeks a ban on smoking on the campuses of federal buildings and wants to study the role of electronic cigarettes in smoking cessation. U.S. needs national HIV/AIDS strategy Countries receiving U.S. funding for AIDS relief are required to have a strategic plan -- but America has no plan. Vitamin D checks urged Studies associate low levels with increased risk of disease, but more extensive research is needed before testing and supplementation become routine. Comprehensive sex ed said to have most impact A report says abstinence should be one part -- but not the only one -- of teaching kids about sexual activity. AMA looks for ways to trim rising student debt The Association will work to increase medical school funding, reduce tuition costs and ease students' loan repayment obligations. Physician supervision of nurses sought in all practice agreements AMA delegates also debated the National Board of Medical Examiners' role in a new doctor of nursing practice certification exam. Delegates renew efforts for antitrust relief The AMA house says changes are needed to help physicians collaborate on quality and cost-improvement initiatives that will be key to health system reform. AMA urges Web system for prior authorizations Delegates agree that online systems would help practices meet insurer requirements. AMA exhorts doctors to offer charity care, help the uninsured Physicians also should become involved in the political process and help cut financial obstacles to care, says new ethics policy. Delegates see boosting quality of care as duty A new AMA ethics policy lays out steps physicians should take to make sure patients get the correct treatments.
Other resources On the house The House of Delegates is the AMA’s principal policymaking body. Here is a quick reference to who attends and how work gets done.
From the vaultDelegates back medical home, want pay issues resolvedPhysicians decide more discussion is needed on how payment for care under the medical home concept will affect specialists and primary care physicians. [Interim 2008] AMA grades health plans on how they handle claims The Association hopes to reduce the administrative costs and other obstacles doctors face in collecting from insurance companies. [Annual 2008] AMA to renew fight for Medicare balance billing Some physicians say patients understand that they are struggling with practice costs and would accept balance billing. [Interim 2007] AMA launches pre-election push on plight of uninsured Action on SCHIP is to be followed by the release of a national health policy agenda and an advertising campaign on the insurance access problem. [Annual 2007] Effort to stop Medicare cuts hits 11th hour Hundreds of doctors called their lawmakers, and the AMA ran an ad in two of the nation's largest newspapers as an open letter to patients [Interim 2006] AMA: Closing the uninsured gap hinges on personal coverage Supporters say tax incentives and penalties will help drive a requirement that individuals and families obtain health coverage. [Annual 2006] Copyright 2009 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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