DJP Update 6-13-2010 AMA Meeting – Speeches from candidates supported by Coalition of State Medical and National Specialty Societies; “MedPage Now” article about start of AMA meeting; Lagniappe
Reference Committees are in progress now.
AMA has a very fair and democratic system of electing the president, trustees, and councils. The AMA House of Delegates, the policy-making body of the AMA, votes on the candidates for president-elect as well as the individuals running for the position of trustee as well as most of the councils. Many interviews of the candidates occur as the candidates visit the various delegations. In addition, as an example of the political activity, the candidates for trustee give a 2 minute speech before the entire House of Delegates.
The Coalition of State Medical and National Specialty Societies is a group, not geographical but rather AMA policy-based, that is comprised of state and specialty societies whose delegates sit in the AMA House of Delegates. In addition, 3 former presidents of the AMA (Dr. Johnson, Dr. Palmisano, Dr. Plested) are associate non-voting members of the Coalition. The Coalition gave its support to 3 candidates who hope to gain one of the the 4 seats of the AMA Board that are opening up at this meeting. It would be great if the video of the speeches of the 8 candidates vying for these 4 seats were posted immediately on the AMA Website. That would allow AMA members not at this meeting to see and hear the positions taken and send their opinion to the seated delegates. Hope this will be done in the future and perhaps still can be done at this meeting. Communication is essential to enhance membership. We all know that membership in AMA continues to decline and we must use creative ways to enhance communication. Paternalism and an attitude of – we know better, trust us- is not the way to go.
I am placing in this email the text of the speeches of the three candidates supported by the Coalition.
See the speeches below the tweet about the “MedPage Today” article.
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Here is an article about the opening day of the AMA House of Delegates written by Peggy Peck of “MedPage Now”. The tweet I did last night gives the link.
www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Click on link or copy and paste it into your browser.
“AMA: Little to Cheer About as AMA Meeting Opens” By #PeggyPeck #MedPageToday http://tinyurl.com/27eqex5
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Speeches of the AMA board candidates supported by the Coalition of State Medical and National Specialty Societies
Speech of Steven Permut, MD, JD of Delaware
I’m Steve Permut from Delaware – a small guy from a small State – with big ideas – I want to be your Trustee. So, let’s build a stronger AMA together.
Growing up I worked with my Dad in North Philadelphia. I saw how poverty affected people’s health. So, I had a big idea. Like all of you, I had a calling-to-care, and I became a physician.
Once in practice, I saw how frivolous law suits destroyed careers. Once again, I had a big idea – I became a lawyer. For the past 25 years I have worked with organized medicine at the State and National levels using both my medical knowledge and legal skills to reform health care.
Physician, lawyer, and now, ¿a politician? Some say I’m going down hill. I say I’m reaching new heights by waging uphill battles.
For example, we do not have a health CARE reform bill; we have a health INSURANCE bill, and what good is health insurance without access to care? The current bill puts OUR calling-to-care in jeopardy.
So, let’s reform health care together by repealing the SGR and the Independent Payment Advisory Board and by adding provisions for private contracting, quality standards set by practicing physicians, and proven liability reforms. Let’s expand the number of GME slots, and rebuild Primary Care.
My experiences have molded me into a leader and an innovator.
Please vote for Steve Permut for Trustee – the small guy from the small state with big ideas – thank you.
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Speech of Monica Wehby, MD of Oregon
Speakers, Delegates,
I am a pediatric neurosurgeon from Portland, Oregon.
I have been coming to the AMA for nearly 25 years, ever since I was a medical student.
Each of us is here today because we are leaders.
We were chosen by our state or specialty to be their voice.
It is our diverse backgrounds that provide the AMA with the wisdom
gained only through the appreciation of broad perspectives
across the field of medicine.
Fortunately, as physicians, there is much we can all agree on.
Here, at the AMA House of Delegates, we forge a strong, unified voice
based upon our shared principles and our established policies:
SGR
liability reform
inadequate reimbursement
faulty quality measures
private contracting
These policies are vital to preserving our ability to care for our patients.
Doctors must control medicine, not the government.
I believe that the AMA must stand firmly on these foundations,
or else our credibility is suspect.
I also believe that Board member votes on advocacy issues should be recorded
and accessible to the House.
Our House of medicine has nothing to hide.
We must remain strong, because doctors need the AMA.
If not the AMA, then who? If not now, then when?
I believe the AMA can, and must, effectively represent all physicians.
As we strive keep our patients alive and well,
so must our AMA strive to keep our practices alive and well.
I respectfully ask for your vote.
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Speech of Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD, FACS of Washington, DC
GOOD AFTERNOON COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS
I’M Joe Gutierrez and I am running for the BOARD OF TRUSTEES—
Let’s think about LIBERTY and FREEDOM.
These principles are the very heart and soul of the founding of this great nation.
They define who and what we are – what we represent – what we stand for.
LIBERTY and FREEDOM – what we want to preserve – for our patients,
for ourselves, for our proud and noble profession.
LIBERTY and FREEDOM – Gradually, big government and 3rd party payers
are taking that away from us – so we must be vigilant about these encroachments.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has passed.
It does not protect all patients. It is not affordable or fiscally responsible.
It does not protect the patient/physician relationship.
It does not give patients and their physicians the LIBERTY and FREEDOM
to privately contract without penalty. It does not bring about meaningful and
significant tort reform. It does not fix the SGR. And, it will be bureaucrats
not physicians who will determine the quality of care!
It is time to put a stop to all this!
I ask for one of your votes on Tuesday – to fight for the LIBERTY and
FREEDOM of our patients and ourselves.
For a change, let us show some courage. The courage to bring about
a positive change!
Please – one of your votes for Joe Gutierrez on Tuesday !
Thank you very much….
Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD, FACS
Immediate Past President
Medical Society of the District of Columbia
Immediate Past Chair, Southeastern Delegation to the AMA
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DJP Comment: Get involved. Call your delegates. Let’s try to change the direction of AMA and save AMA. Electing these 3 candidates to the Board will send a strong message to the current AMA Board. AMA is a wonderful organization and has a rich history of achievement. The current work of CEJA, The Litigation Center, the Publishing Division, and more serve physicians and patients well. Let’s get transparency about board votes (why should the votes of trustees on health system reform decisions about support of a bill in Congress be secret! Let’s see who is advocating the top HoD priorities!) , let’s enhance communication, let’s negotiate with Congress as experts and not as supplicants. Medicine hangs in the balance.
Voting is TUESDAY MORNING.
Lagniappe: Congratulations to Dr. Ron Clearfield, who was nominated by President-elect Dr. Cecil Wilson, for a position on CEJA. The House of Delegates affirmed that nomination and Dr. Clearfield is the newest member of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.
Stay well,
Donald
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