DJP Update 6-16-2013 American Medical Association (AMA) Annual Meeting in progress + Lagniappe
Dateline: Chicago
The policy of the AMA, policy that must be followed by the Board of Trustees, is made at the Annual and Interim Meetings of the AMA. Resolutions are sent in by medical and specialty societies as well as individuals, and full debate and voting occurs. There are reference committees to express viewpoints on the submitted resolutions. Then the Reference Committee gives a summary and recommendations. Finally, all resolutions go to the full House of Delegates (about 550 voting delegates) for more debate and a final vote.
There remains much debate between the meetings as to whether the AMA Board went beyond AMA policy in supporting PPACA, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Some resolutions address removing support of PPACA. The candidates for president-elect and plus those competing for the two available slots on the AMA board are facing questions such as “Would you advocate removing AMA support for PPACA?” As the regulations and other disclosures of PPACA come to light, that is an important question. Elections occur Tuesday morning.
As for my view of government intervention into Medicine, it remains the same as my first testimony in 1976 to Health Subcommittee of U.S. House Ways and Means. The updated summary related to PPACA is in my Op-Ed 2010 Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Journal here:
http://www.donaldpalmisano.com/html/PEJLSMS2010.pdf
Another issue that will generate more debate and eventually a vote at this meeting is the issue of whether AMA should continue two House of Delegates Meetings (now June and November) or reduce to one in June. Some say new technology allows interaction with members and two meetings are no longer necessary. New technology would include virtual reference committees via Internet.
Opponents of reduction to one meeting point out the need to have face to face debate at least twice a year. The two meetings give greater accountability of board and some members want more transparency.
I think two meetings increase AMA credibility and communication. But regardless of what happens in this vote, I strongly urge AMA to move to an issue I have advocated for many years, prior to my board service and during my board service and AMA presidency. AMA should have a closed circuit equivalent of C-Span. All board meetings would be available live to members. They could watch live or later at AMA Website via a recording by inserting membership number and password. Sensitive matters such as litigation or staffing could occur in closed non-broadcast mode. If that was available, just like C-Span for Congress, AMA members could see how the board members debate, advocate an issue, and how they vote. That gives accountability much more than what individuals say when running for office. Perhaps someone could add this as an amendment to an appropriate pending resolution. If AMA wants transparency and communication, this is a proven way to enhance it. Leaders have courage and are decisive; they are accountable for their actions. Transparency gives the “Verify” of “Trust and Verify.” The financial cost of this would be minimal.
As I have stated in past, I do less DJP Updates because I tweet almost daily and I encourage you to follow those tweets @DJPNEWS. If you wish to see the tweets of all individuals tweeting about the AMA meeting, search the hashmark #AMAmtg at Twitter or in search engines.
Here are some of mine at this meeting. Click on links to see any attached pictures.
Be sure to read this link in one of the tweets below. It is AMA policy and Congress needs to pass it! AMA and many other societies signed on to this letter at the link.
Medicare Patient Empowerment Act H.R. 1310 : http://t.co/gMQxgHTeoy
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FYI #AMAmtg RT @AmerMedicalAssn: #AMA Awards $11M to Transform the Way Future Physicians Are Trained http://t.co/3P1RF7etOL
6/14/13 9:41 AM
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At #AMAmtg and now in #OSMAP where 1st item is Litigation Center of AMA/State Medical Socities http://t.co/7DiFH1Po8b
6/14/13 2:13 PM
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Leonard Nelson, counsel for Litigation Center, presents a Center case. #AMAmtg http://t.co/JR4OqhPQJU
6/14/13 2:18 PM
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Dr Lou Goodman, EVP Texas Med Assn and prez Physicians Foundation, updates re Foundation work. #AMAmtg http://t.co/WbvTyMFVlP
6/14/13 2:42 PM
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Donald J. Palmisano, Jr. JD, EVP Med Assn. Georgia, presents success with The Physician Shield Law #AMAmtg http://t.co/2GqYhNj9Ys
6/14/13 4:40 PM
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Dr Ana Pujols McKee, EVP and Chief Medical Officer at The Joint Commission, speaks at #OSMAP #AMAmtg http://t.co/1hLaGkCXtU
6/14/13 5:12 PM
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Chair LSMS Delegation Dr Keith DeSonier and Greg Waddell LSMS General Counsel at OSMAP reception. #AMAmtg http://t.co/k3gLjYl287
6/14/13 6:17 PM
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Dr Peter Lavine of DC and AMA Board Member Dr Monica Wehby OSMAP reception. My wonderful friends. #AMAmtg http://t.co/ngppQ6w10l
6/14/13 6:29 PM
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Visiting with U.S. Rep. Tom Price MD @RepTomPrice of Georgia. He sits in HoD with #MAG at #AMAmtg http://t.co/fuwrF8m7cQ
6/15/13 12:53 PM
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AMA House of Delegates in session. #AMAmtg in Chicago. http://t.co/zLdpBuOR22
6/15/13 2:27 PM
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Excellent #AMA photographer Ted Grudzinski at work in HoD #AMAmtg . He is master at images of speakers. http://t.co/WcaO0rmzbO
6/15/13 2:33 PM
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Nominating speeches for #AMA president-elect at #AMAmtg happening now: Dr. Joseph Annis and Dr. Robert Wah. #Democracy in action.
6/15/13 3:33 PM
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Speaker and Vice-Speaker re-elected at #AMAmtg – Now the candidates for Board of Trustees give 2 min speeches.
6/15/13 3:36 PM
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Candidates for AMA Board of Trustees and only 2 can be elected this #AMAmtg : Dr. Barbe, Dr. Deren, Dr. Harmon, Dr. Hickey, and Dr. Sweet.
6/15/13 3:39 PM
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Powerful speech from heart by Dr. Harmon. I wonder if voters read his bio and know he served our Country as a General. #AMAmtg #Patriot
6/15/13 3:44 PM
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Dr. Mike Daren now giving his candidate speech for AMA Board. He is a surgeon and the editor of Connecticut Medicine. #AMAmtg
6/15/13 3:46 PM
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Now the 2 candidates for Resident/Fellow Trustee slot on Board: Dr. May Babu and Dr. Benjamin Galper. Great seeing young doctors involved.
6/15/13 3:48 PM
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Stirring story by Dr. Ben Galper re his grandfather. Personal stories always great in speeches as they make emotional connection. #AMAmtg
6/15/13 3:53 PM
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Candidates for President-Elect give speeches at #AMAmtg http://t.co/m6ecECFhUL
6/15/13 4:08 PM
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The 2 candidates for President-Elect at #AMAmtg , Dr. Wah + Dr. Annis, give their 2 minute speeches and take questions #DemocracyInAction
6/15/13 4:09 PM
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Great opportunity for 2 candidates to distinguish themselves with question asked: Is there a time when #AMAmtg would withdraw support #PPACA
6/15/13 4:18 PM
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Dr. Annis points out problem of #pricecontrols #AMAmtg . Wish candidates would speak of AMA policy supporting Rep. Dr. Price’s H.R. 1310
6/15/13 4:28 PM
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All #AMAmtg should read letter to Rep. Tom Price re Medicare Patient Empowerment Act H.R. 1310 in unofficial packet http://t.co/gMQxgHTeoy
6/15/13 4:34 PM
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My AMA prez hero throughout my medical career = Dr. Ed Annis. I gave tribute to him in my AMA Inaugural Speech in 2003. Memories #AMAmtg
6/15/13 4:39 PM
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Excellent closing point by Dr. Wah: “Is there a lawyer in house?” Reference to doctors being called to save lives in emergencies. #AMAmtg
6/15/13 4:42 PM
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“If we lose who we are, we will lose everything.” “Medicine’s best days are left to be lived.” Dr. Annis evokes memories his Dad. #AMAmtg
6/15/13 4:46 PM
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Re Dr satisfaction in Medicine, here is one physician who found happiness by changing practice mode: http://t.co/KAoEOzBApN #AMAmtg
6/15/13 5:10 PM
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Hmmm.. #AMAmtg “Dem… Congressman: ‘Not Fair’ To Subject Congress To Obamacare Just Like Everyone Else – ” http://t.co/VsOtCE4M0S #PPACA
6/16/13 9:59 AM
Here is an example of a retweet. If you see a tweet you like, just hit retweet button and it goes to those following you on Twitter. Remember, when you see a link in tweet, click on it and it will take you to a longer story or an image.
LaMedSoc
LSMS President Van Culotta listening to debate as a member of Reference Committee B at #AMAmtg http://t.co/2BXfCzRyJ9
6/16/13 10:17 AM
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LAGNIAPPE: Robin’s brother’s son, our nephew, just finished high school and visited us in the New Orleans area. We had fun. Among our activities we went into the Honey Island Swamp and visited the National World War II Museum. His grandfather fought as a U.S. Marine on Okinawa. Powerful exhibit at WWII Museum on this battle.
Here is a photo available in tweet showing alligator we meet in the swamp: pic.twitter.com/x46j3bUhjk
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Great time with nephew and friend from Ohio on their 1st visit to #NOLA : Honey Island Swamp, @WWIImuseum , TonyAngello’s, and more.
6/13/13 12:12 PM
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Our Honey Island Swamp visit today. Excellent #photograph ! RT @marshallyo: This is awesome