AMA House of Delegates
Photos from the 62nd Interim Meeting, Nov. 8-11 in Orlando, Fla.
The doctors are in the house
Physician leaders from throughout the country migrated south In November for the AMA Interim Meeting. More than 500 delegates gathered at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort to address the AMA's advocacy and legislative agenda.
His legacy remains
One seat on the podium was noticeably empty. Immediate Past President Ron Davis, MD, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on Nov. 6. Two days earlier, knowing his health would not permit attendance, Dr. Davis wrote a letter telling his colleagues in the house that he was honored to have served the AMA. "Now I must complete my 'circle of life' and go with God." (Dr. Davis' letter)
Remembering a colleague
AMA President Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, and other physician leaders honored Dr. Davis with a video tribute and held a moment of silence for the preventive medicine physician from Michigan. "We will miss you terribly, and we will honor you always," Dr. Nielsen said. (Dr. Nielsen's speech)
Honoring a leader
The 2008 Distinguished Service Award, the AMA's highest honor, was bestowed on James F. Arens, MD. The Colorado anesthesiologist was recognized for being a leading advocate for patient safety and health care quality. He has trained generations of physicians at five medical schools. "This has never been work but always a joy," Dr. Arens said.
Lifetime of contribution
D. Brent Mulgrew (center) was presented the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors those who have made major contributions to the medical profession. Mulgrew started as an attorney for the Ohio State Medical Assn. in 1974 and now serves as the association's executive director. With him are AMA Board of Trustees Chair Joseph M. Heyman, MD (left) and AMA CEO and Executive Vice President Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA.
Every voice counts
Delegates met in committees Nov. 9 and weighed in on issues including the patient-centered medical home, secret shopper patients and banning text messaging while driving.
Not a home for everyone?
Although delegates generally support the concept of a medical home, including better care coordination and improved pay, there was some concern that funding might be shifted, rather than increased. Aaron Spitz, MD, a delegate for the American Urological Assn., said the answer is not to take money from specialists to give to primary care physicians. "That will give us a home divided against itself, which cannot stand."
Looking for SGR alternatives
Payment approaches such as bundling and gainsharing could give hospitals too much control over Medicare dollars, delegates said. But, David Hannan, MD, a delegate for the Medical Society of the State of New York, said it doesn't have to be that way. He serves on the board of an IPA that offers an example of how hospitals and physicians can handle Medicare dollars together. "The money doesn't go anywhere unless both sides agree."
Define "disruptive"
The Joint Commission's broad definition of disruptive physician behavior drew delegates ire, and sparked concerns that hospitals could use it as a retaliatory measure. Jay A. Gregory, MD, general surgeon and chair of the AMA Organized Medical Staff Section Governing Council, said it is imperative that medical staffs exert control over complaints against physicians. Medical staffs "have got to get some definitions and we have to get a basic understanding of where we are."
Get the fat out
The AMA is supporting state and federal legislation that bans use of artificial trans fats by restaurants and bakeries. Delegates said eating foods containing the dangerous fats increases the risk for heart disease by raising LDL and lowering HDL. But not everyone agreed with policing food. "We haven't banned cigarettes. We're going to ban trans fats?" said S. Jay Jayasankar, MD, a delegate for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Are we going to regulate people's calories next?"
Stop the "text-aholics"
Some people can't put their handheld electronic devices down, not even to drive. Texting in traffic has increasingly been cited as a cause of motor vehicle crashes -- and fatalities. "Drivers who are texting are more likely to miss a red light," said Arvind Goyal, MD, MPH, a delegate for the American Assn. of Public Health Physicians. "This is a risk to other people on the street." Seven states and the District of Columbia already prohibit drivers from sending text messages. The AMA supports more of these bans.
A time to be heard
The open forum of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs continued its tradition of lively discussions, with delegates at this session weighing in on the role of hospital ethics committees and the potential conflicts of interests when physicians are hired by the same people they supervise.
Paper is handy ...
Kenneth Certa, MD, opted to access reports and handbooks online, but still wanted to check out the paper versions being used by John McIntyre, MD.
... but screens are greener
Meanwhile, Dr. McIntyre pauses from his paper reports to check out what Dr. Certa is seeing online. In addition to getting its own house a bit more eco-friendly, delegates addressed broader issues, such as global warming and a need to reduce medical waste.
Pointing the way to service
More than 75 medical students volunteered for the AMA-MSS National Service Project Nov. 7 at United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida. Ben Nelson, of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, and other volunteers helped clean, beautify and plant the garden areas of UCP's nature trail, which is used in sensory integration therapies for children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Volunteers also painted classrooms and assisted with preparations for UCP's annual fundraiser, held the following week. During its business session, the AMA-MSS elected Hans Arora, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago as chair-elect and Justin Mahida, Ohio State University College of Medicine, as student trustee.