DJP Update 6-16-2012 Breaking news: Louisiana Late Resolution 1001 re Medicare Premium Support accepted by AMA Committee Rules & Order for debate in HoD
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
5000 West Esplanade Ave, #432
Metairie, LA 70006
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
504-455-5895
www.onleadership.us
www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
DJP Update 6-16-2012 Activity at AMA Annual Meeting
Be sure to follow tweets from many delegates in AMA House of Delegates. You can follow by searching for Twitter tag #AMAmtg in one of the Twitter programs.
You can see the ones I posted at: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
One of the topics that will be discussed and debated at AMA House of Delegates during this AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago is the drug shortage. There was an excellent discussion of this topic in the OSMAP meeting yesterday consisting of the presidents of state medical associations.
Here is some additional information that came from Congress yesterday on the topic of the drug shortages and the FDA
U.S.House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding FDA and drug shortages
http://tinyurl.com/79go82c
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Louisiana Late Resolution 1001 regarding Medicare and premium support/defined contribution now has multiple co-sponsors and the late resolution was heard this morning by the committee that evaluates whether to accept a late resolution. The decision of the committee will be brought to the House of Delegates on Sunday. The House of Delegates can vote to agree or overturn the committee’s decision. The only reason that is supposed to be considered by the committee is whether there is a valid reason for the resolution being sent late. The fact that the Council on Medical Service pulled the Council Report 2 after the virtual reference committee was held for some weeks should cause the late resolution to be accepted for debate.
Also, some background information that may be of interest. Here is current AMA policy from 2007 so the topic is not a new concept:
AMA policy Passed at AMA Annual 2007
Note this wording in H-330.896 regarding concept of defined contribution / premium support
2. Offering beneficiaries a choice of plans for which the federal government would contribute a standard amount toward the purchase of traditional fee-for-service Medicare or another health insurance plan approved by Medicare.
H-330.896 Strategies to Strengthen the Medicare Program
Our AMA supports the following reforms to strengthen the Medicare program, to be implemented together or separately, and phased-in as appropriate: 1. Restructuring beneficiary cost-sharing so that patients have a single premium and deductible for all Medicare services, with means-tested subsidies and out-of-pocket spending limits that protect against catastrophic expenses. The cost-sharing structure should be developed to provide incentives for appropriate utilization while discouraging unnecessary or inappropriate patterns of care. The use of preventive services such as those recommended by the US Preventive Health Task Force should also be encouraged. Simultaneously, policymakers will need to consider modifications to Medicare supplemental insurance (i.e., Medigap) benefit design standards to ensure that policies complement, rather than duplicate or undermine, Medicare’s new cost-sharing structure. 2. Offering beneficiaries a choice of plans for which the federal government would contribute a standard amount toward the purchase of traditional fee-for-service Medicare or another health insurance plan approved by Medicare. All plans would be subject to the same fixed contribution amounts and regulatory requirements. Policies would need to be developed, and sufficient resources allocated, to ensure appropriate government standard-setting and regulatory oversight of plans. 3. Restructuring age-eligibility requirements and incentives to match the Social Security schedule of benefits. (CMS Rep. 10, A-07)
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Here are some sample tweets I did from the meeting. More at the link I gave you at the start of this email.
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The first tweet below is a reminder in view of the article at the link in the tweet.
11h Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
AMA policy now opposes #IPAB Super Legislature, one of many flaws of #PPACA http://tinyurl.com/6vmh9ts #constitutionality #Dems #GOP #tcot #AMAmtg
13h Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
#PPACA #SCOTUS RT @starrick1: Ruth Bader Ginsburg predicts ‘sharp disagreement’ among justices – http://POLITICO.com http://politi.co/Lt3Wjh
13h Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
P.S. excellent comments #OSMAP #AMAmtg re FTC, med boards, and scope of practice was by Kai Sternstein JD, Dir Advocacy Resource Center
13h Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
Correct facts #AMAmtg http://ow.ly/bAh89 http://tinyurl.com/328kxgg RT @medpagetoday: #AMA Delegates Face Hot-Button Issues http://bit.ly/KzYeRX
Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
OSMAP #AMAmtg “Open Mike” discussion in progress. OSMAP demonstrates democracy in action with open debate on impt topics.
Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
#OSMAP meeting in progress now at #AMAmtg – talks incl Litigation Center, AMA Chair, Physicians Foundation, state meds, membership Qs, etc
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LAGNIAPPE: Grandson Pablo Palmisano will arrive today at AMA meeting!
Stay well!
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 6-13-2012 LSMS Delegation requests support for Late Resolution re Premium Support for Medicare; Politico article of today
As you know by now, it has been confirmed that American Medical Association’s Council on Medical Service will not present to the House of Delegates CMS Report 2 A-12 regarding transitioning Medicare to a premium support program despite being in electronic handbook and on Virtual Reference Committee A on AMA Website for comments. CMS 2 has officially been pulled as per last item under Sunday Tote on the AMA Website—Green sheet as listed indicating referral changes and withdrawals.
The Louisiana State Medical Society therefore has sent in to AMA today a late resolution addressing premium support for Medicare. AMA has confirmed receipt of it. LSMS Delegation requests support and co-sponsorship from other delegations to the AMA. The committee that evaluates late resolutions will decide if the LSMS resolution will be allowed for debate. That decision will be presented to House of Delegates and if denied debate, the House of Delegates can overturn that decision by vote.
You will note the resolves listed below are the same ones in the previously circulated CMS Report 2 A-12 and the Whereas section gives the justification for the late resolution.
If you wish to co-sponsor, please contact Mr. Jeff Williams, Exec Director Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS). Chair of Louisiana Delegation is Dr. Keith DeSonier. LSMS asked me to send out a DJP Update about this issue.
Email: jeff@lsms.org
Phone: 225-763-8500
Here is the late resolution:
Late Resolution – Transitioning Medicare to a Premium Support Program
Submitted by: The Louisiana Delegation
Whereas, many members of American Medical Association were able to provide testimony in response to CMS Report 2 A-12 online in AMA Virtual Reference Committee A, and
Whereas, the members of the Louisiana delegation were expecting the same opportunity to provide testimony in Reference Committee A, and
Whereas, a debate on transitioning Medicare to a premium support program is critical as Medicare is currently in serious financial straits, and true change needs to occur, therefore be it
RESOLVED that our American Medical Association support transitioning Medicare to a premium support program that would:
A. Provide beneficiaries with a premium support amount to be used for the purchase of traditional Medicare or a private health insurance plan approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services or its designee.
B. Base the amount of the premium support on the value of the government’s contribution under traditional Medicare at the time of implementation.
C. Allow for variation in premium support amounts based on factors including, but not limited to, local market conditions, beneficiary health status, and beneficiary income.
D. Enable beneficiaries to purchase coverage of their choice through a marketplace of competing health plans, which would be subject to appropriate regulation. (New HOD Policy) and be it further
RESOLVED that our AMA reaffirm Policies H-330.896, “Strategies to Strengthen the Medicare Program,” H-385.961, “Medicare Private Contracting,” D-390.986, “Medicare Balance Billing,” and H-165.852, “Health Savings Accounts.” (Reaffirm HOD Policy), and be it further
RESOLVED that our AMA rescind Policy H-330.898, “Long-Term Funding of Medicare” and Policy D-330.917, “Medicare Reform Financing.” (Rescind HOD Policy)
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There also has been comment about this issue again today in Politico by reporter Kyle Cheney. The quote from me came from DJP Update of yesterday. The other words are the reporter’s.
AMA GUNSHY ON PREMIUM SUPPORT RESOLUTION — The American Medical Association yesterday called off what likely would have been a pretty hot debate over a resolution endorsing a version of Medicare premium support after receiving pushback from its members. The AMA resolution would have backed premium support to exist along with traditional Medicare, but the group’s Council on Medical Service — which handles policy recommendations — agreed to hold off on the resolution. AMA officials defended the move to withdraw as an effort to further flesh out the recommendations. “The Executive Committee of the Council on Medical Service unanimously agreed to withdraw [its premium support recommendations and report],” said Tom Sullivan, chairman of the AMA Council on Medical Service, in a statement to POLITICO. “The council believes there is a need to put in additional work on a revised report that addresses a number of complicated policy issues.”
–PALMISANO: REVERSAL IS UNAMERICAN – Former AMA President Donald Palmisano ripped the group’s decision to cancel the premium support debate, arguing that it would cause membership to “drop and drop.” “Full debate has been a hallmark of AMA House of Delegates. And defined contribution and individual ownership of health policies have been long-standing AMA policy in health system reform,” he wrote Tuesday in a blog post. “Are we to have the world think AMA does not focus on what is best for the patient-physician relationship but instead genuflects to politicians? Time to get off bended knee. Time to cut the chains that bind physicians with price-fixing and coercion. We are Americans, not serfs.” His blog: http://bit.ly/L3bNav
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Stay well and travel to Chicago with care.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 6-12-2012 “AMA pulls premium support debate” – This is shocking! AMA, tell me reporter is incorrect.
This is the type of activity that causes AMA membership to drop and drop. And it continues to drop. The pulling of the “premium support” report that I highlighted in last night’s DJP Update 6-11-2012 posted at www.DJPupdate.com and said would be an important item of debate at this AMA Annual Meeting, “Report 2 of Council On Medical Service – Transitioning Medicare to a Premium Support Program” is shocking. What justification is there for that? Full debate has been a hallmark of AMA House of Delegates. And defined contribution and individual ownership of health policies have been long-standing AMA policy in health system reform. Former presidents Dr. Johnson, Dr. Plested, and myself have written Op-Eds about this, including the option for Medicare. Are we to have the world think AMA does not focus on what is best for the patient-physician relationship but instead genuflects to politicians. Time to get off bended knee. Time to cut the chains that bind physicians with price-fixing and coercion. We are Americans, not serfs.
A sad day.
Political Pro article today
AMA pulls premium support debate
By Kyle Cheney
6/12/12 12:15 PM EDT
The American Medical Association has called off what was likely to become a controversial debate next week on a resolution that would have thrown the group’s support behind a version of Medicare premium support, an AMA official said Tuesday.
A resolution for next week’s annual conference in Chicago had been put forth by the AMA’s Council on Medical Service. Although the resolution did not specifically cite the premium support plan authored by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, it did outline a similar concept. The AMA version would have had premium support co-exist with traditional Medicare.
At least one counterproposal had been drafted.
In an 11-page report issued earlier this month and obtained by POLITICO, the council described an “urgent need for change” in Medicare, given the spending trajectory. “Premium support is a form of ‘defined contribution,’ which offers a more predictable and sustainable way for the federal government to continue providing assistance to Medicare beneficiaries,” it said.
Robert Hertzka, an AMA delegate from California and one of the 12 doctors on the council, said in a recent interview, while the measure was still on the agenda, “If you give doctors a choice between a government fee schedule and private plans, we have always chosen fighting it out in the marketplace,” he said.
The vote carried significant political risk. While it might have mended fences with Republicans miffed over the AMA’s potent support for the Affordable Care Act, it would antagonize Democrats. And the AMA has a lot at stake, both with the perennial fights over the Medicare SGR physician pay formula as well as the larger national debate about entitlements and health spending.
Canceling the vote prevents a collision with critics who question whether premium support proposals have been detailed enough to ensure protection for low-income and vulnerable Americans. The Iowa and Minnesota delegations to the AMA had introduced a resolution that questions premium support plans because they “lack many specific details and are not well understood.”
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Stay well.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 6-11-2012 AMA moving to another location in Chicago; AMA Annual Meeting; Congress seeking correspondence written by organizations during PPACA debate
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http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-12-10/business/ct-biz-1210-ama-20111210_1_ibm-building-van-der-ludwig-mies
1) AMA moving to former IBM building
Historic Mies van der Rohe building will be named for medical association upon 2013 move
December 10, 2011 | By Ameet Sachdev, Chicago Tribune reporter
The former IBM Building designed by famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe will get a new tenant and a new name.
The American Medical Association said Friday that it will move its Chicago headquarters to the iconic modernistic tower at 330 N. Wabash Ave. in September 2013. At that time, the 52-story tower will be renamed AMA Plaza.
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More info about the building and a photo of building at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/330_North_Wabash
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2) AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago at Hyatt Regency Chicago at 151 East Wacker Drive starts Saturday June 16 and ends Wednesday June 20. OSMAP (Med society presidents) meeting is on Friday June 15. All at Hyatt
Details re meeting at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/meeting/index.shtml
TWITTER tag if you wish to follow updates from delegates and reporters: #AMAmtg
An important item for vote at the meeting is:
REPORT 2 OF THE COUNCIL ON MEDICAL SERVICE (A-12)
Transitioning Medicare to a Premium Support Program
(Reference Committee A)
Here are the recommendations in the Council On Medical Service Report:
1. That our American Medical Association support transitioning Medicare to a premium
support program that would:
a. Provide beneficiaries with a premium support amount to be used for the purchase of
traditional Medicare or a private health insurance plan approved by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services or its designee.
b. Base the amount of the premium support on the value of the government’s contribution
under traditional Medicare at the time of implementation.
c. Allow for variation in premium support amounts based on factors including, but not
limited to, local market conditions, beneficiary health status, and beneficiary income.
d. Enable beneficiaries to purchase coverage of their choice through a marketplace of
competing health plans, which would be subject to appropriate regulation. (New HOD
Policy)
2. That our AMA reaffirm Policies H-330.896, “Strategies to Strengthen the Medicare
Program,” H-385.961, “Medicare Private Contracting,” D-390.986, “Medicare Balance
Billing,” and H-165.852, “Health Savings Accounts.” (Reaffirm HOD Policy)
3. That our AMA rescind Policy H-330.898, “Long-Term Funding of Medicare” and Policy
D-330.917, “Medicare Reform Financing.” (Rescind HOD Policy)
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3) Meanwhile, doctors should let AMA know what they think of the ideas in the letter below sent to Congress. Request a copy and read through this letter in response to request from Congress. It is too lengthy to reproduce here.
May 25, 2012
The Honorable Dave Camp
Chairman
Committee on Ways and Means
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-6115
The Honorable Wally Herger
Chairman
Committee on Ways and Means
Subcommittee on Health
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-6115
Dear Chairman Camp and Chairman Herger:
The American Medical Association (AMA) is pleased to respond to the Committee on Ways and Means letter of April 27, 2011, requesting our comments on alternative payment models to the current Medicare physician payment system and flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) that will improve health outcomes and efficiency in the Medicare program. We appreciate the Committee’s continued focus on developing a permanent, sustainable solution and welcome the opportunity to provide you with our ideas. …
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4) Of interest, a June 8, 2012 article in InsideHealthReform.com , a subscription newsletter, has as its feature article a claim that it has email correspondence between AMA and Congressional staffers regarding IPAB of PPACA and SGR, etc. Wonder how they get such information? House members requesting from government agencies? Probably so. Should be an interesting AMA Meeting.
Internal Emails: AMA, While Disliking IPAB Framework, Did Not Reject ‘Advisory Board’ Concept
Quote from Website: Internal emails between American Medical Association lobbyists and White House aides during the health reform debate indicate that while AMA disagreed with the Senate’s framework for the Independent Payment Advisory Board it did not “totally reject the concept of an advisory board.”
What to make of this? One needs to see all of the correspondence to evaluate rather than relying on reporter’s summary of what is in correspondence.
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Same publication has this article:
More Internal White House Emails
House Panel Unveils More Memos On White House, PhRMA Dealings During Health Reform Debate
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It is my wish that the U.S. Supreme Court puts PPACA into the trash and Congress then passes a true reform bill that allows purchase of insurance across state lines, medical liability reform, individual ownership of policies, voluntary purchasing cooperatives that allow Health Savings Accounts, etc.
Stay well.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 6-6-2012 A Tribute to the the Rangers of Pointe du Hoc and all of the heroes of D-Day June 6, 1944
A must watch video! President Ronald Reagan’s speech at Pointe du Hoc on the 40th Anniversary, June 6, 1984.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBeyZAmmJNg
or
http://t.co/ohvfEfrA
Tip of the hat to Dr. Art Fougner ( @sonodoc99 ) who alerted me to this video via Twitter and email.
I retweeted it. Note it was put on Twitter by @baysidebetty and retweeted by @sonodoc99 and then by me. The power of Twitter for communication!
www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
A beautiful tribute! #MakeItViral for all to see RT @sonodoc99: @DJPNEWS @baysidebetty Boys of Pointe Du Hoc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBeyZAmmJNg #D-Day
Those who read my book, ON LEADERSHIP, know of the story of Ranger Bud Lomell whose mission was to destroy the German 155 mm Cannons that could destroy any ship at Normandy. Bud Lomell succeeded even though some history sources say the cannons were not found. Even the movie, The Longest Day, got it wrong. HOMEWORK!
What a great privilege to meet Bud Lomell and have multiple conversations with him while researching for my book.
Stay well and give thanks for the brave individuals who saved the world from evil people.
On this day of remembrance of heroes, remember also to never be intimidated by those who try to smear you or hurt you because they are afraid of the truth. Be courageous, be a leader.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 5-31-2012 Views of Young Physicians about the U.S. Healthcare System: Pessimism
Here is another survey of physicians (March 2012). This one is from the Physicians’ Foundation and is entitled “Next Generation Physician Survey.”
It is sad that the healthcare system has evolved to such a state that pessimism is prevalent: Here is an excerpt:
These physicians are markedly pessimistic regarding the future of the U.S. healthcare system, with the “new healthcare legislation” ranking as a strong #1 reason for the pessimism. Many voice considerable cynicism with (what several call) “government’ involvement.”
You can download the entire survey (25 page PDF) at:
http://www.physiciansfoundation.org/FoundationReportDetails.aspx?id=360
More info about the Physicians’ Foundation can be found at: http://www.physiciansfoundation.org/
Here is an excerpt from the Executive Summary and other sections:
An Overview
The typical younger physician in this survey is 37 years of age and is an
employee of a medical group; with the largest single segment being
employees of small groups (6 or fewer physicians): 58% are employees of
medical groups, and almost half of those (48%) are with the smaller groups.
In contrast, 26% are with mid-sized groups (with 7 to 12 physicians), and 26%
are with larger groups (13-plus physicians).
These physicians are markedly pessimistic regarding the future of the U.S.
healthcare system, with the “new healthcare legislation” ranking as a strong
#1 reason for the pessimism. Many voice considerable cynicism with (what
several call) “government’ involvement.”
Financial-related considerations play a key role in the choice of practice/
arrangement. Most cite “income/cash flow” and “employment security” as
factors influencing their current arrangement. And among the 27% who
changed (or considered changing) their practice/arrangement in the past
year, the leading reason given related to “financial issues.”
The vast majority express satisfaction with their current practice /
arrangement (with 35% saying they are “highly satisfied,” and another 45%
saying they are “somewhat satisfied”); and most expect to stay with the
current practice/ arrangement for 8 years or more. Many (39%) aspire to
some form of ownership position in the future (as either sole owner or
partner).
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EXCERPT FROM PAGE 7
Views regarding the Future of the U.S. Healthcare System
These young physicians exhibit considerable pessimism regarding the
future of the U.S. healthcare system:
– When it comes to the Affordable Care Act, 49% believe the impact on
their practice will be negative, vs. only 23% who believe it will be
positive. Among the three practice-types, the Primary Care physicians
exhibited somewhat less pessimism vs. the other two segments: They
were a bit more likely to be “positive” or “neutral,” a bit less likely to be
negative.
– And well over half (57%) are pessimistic about the future of the U.S.
healthcare system (with over 30% saying they’re “highly pessimistic”). In
contrast, only 4% are “highly optimistic,” and 18% who are “somewhat
optimistic”. When asked (open-ended) reasons for their pessimism,
responses covered a wide spectrum of negatives – with the “new
healthcare legislation” leading the way. Indeed, as one peruses the
responses to the question, the cynicism voiced by so many – with most
of it directed at “government” – stands out:
Why do you feel pessimistic about the future of the U.S. Healthcare System?
“(Because of) government involvement.”
“(I) Don’t trust government to do the right thing for patients and physicians
or to enact lasting improvements.”
“Because the U.S. healthcare system isn’t concerned about the
employees or patients. They’re just concerned about the money.”
“Government control is a recipe for disaster. They cannot run a business
and cannot control expenses. How could they do a good job on
healthcare? It is a real joke!”
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Read the entire survey.
LAGNIAPPE: I note that former U.S. Senator, Presidential Candidate, and Plaintiff Trial Lawyer, John Edwards was found not guilty today on one count and there was a hung jury on the other counts. Obviously complex campaign laws. If the jury decided the money was a gift (I don’t know what the reasoning was) and not a campaign contribution, wonder if that creates an income tax problem?
Stay well.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 5-28-2012 Memorial Day – 3 p.m. National Moment of Remembrance
A moment of silence and remembrance at 3 p.m. today, your local time. See link in my tweet today.
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www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Donald Palmisano @DJPNEWS
The National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on this #MemorialDay to honor the fallen heroes who died for us http://tinyurl.com/3gynq2f
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I also received this Memorial Day Message from the President of Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, John Young.
Something to reflect about as we remember those who died protecting the freedom and liberty that brave souls enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
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Greater love than this, no one has, than to lay down his life for one’s friends. John 15:13
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion;
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press;
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech;
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom
to assemble;
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial;
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote;
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag;
Is is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,
As we commemorate memorial day with our families and friends at picnics and barbecues, let us not forget the heroic American men and women who paid the ultimate price, and made the ultimate sacrifice, to protect, serve and die for the very freedoms we often take for granted. May God continue to bless you and your family, and may God continue to bless the greatest country on Earth – the United States of America.
———– End of John Young note.
And remember your 1st Amendment Rights and voice your opinions even when others try to avoid the issues in the debate and attempt to smear you instead. Be not afraid. You are an American. And brave individuals died to protect those rights.
Stay well.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
DJP Update 5-9-2012 A visit to Washington, D.C. – Leadership Camp of PIAA and a mention of surveys; LAGNIAPPE: 1- My new book; 2- St. John’s
Recently I have had the opportunity to travel across America for various meetings. From home in New Orleans (Metairie) to beautiful Napa and now to the exciting city of Washington, D.C. I lived in D.C. for 3 months when I was 12 years old and have great memories of all the museums and national treasures here.
Today in Washington, I had the privilege, as a member of the Leadership Committee of Physicians Insurers Association of America (PIAA), to introduce Dr. Richard Reece, pathologist, author of 11 books, and blogger (Medinnovation Blog), for his talk to the Leadership Camp meeting. I enjoyed his presentation regarding the future of medicine under the current health system reform. In summary, he said if PPACA is not ruled unconstitutional or repealed, the future is bleak. He also pointed out to the audience an e-survey of 650,000 physicians that is underway by The Physicians Foundation. The results are due out in 2012 before November. You can participate by going to:
An article about that survey underway now is at: http://www.physiciansmoneydigest.com/blogs/financial-health-check-up/04-2012/Survey-Takes-the-Pulse-of-650000-Physicians
I look forward to seeing that survey. That survey plus the one already done entitled “The Future of Health Care Survey” by The Doctors Company (TDC) –Disclosure: I am on board of TDC– should give lawmakers in Washington, DC, something to think about as they pass laws that directly alter the patient-physician relationship.
Here is the TDC survey summary and link to full survey: http://www.thedoctors.com/KnowledgeCenter/Publications/CON_ID_004672
Incidentally, my interview of 10-31-2009 with Paul Gigot on The Wall Street’s Journal’s “Journal Editorial Report” discussing the proposed health care bill that later became PPACA and the Public Option that was contained in the version of the bill Congress was discussing at that time. The interview also mentions AMA. It is posted at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
Interesting to reflect back on those discussions as time goes by and the United States Supreme Court is about to render a decision on the final version of PPACA.
The 2012 edition of the PIAA annual Medical Liability Conference starts in the morning and ends on Saturday.
If only legislators in Washington, DC and in the state houses across our nation all understood the pernicious effect of the current broken medical liability system, the world would be a better place. Sometimes legislators learn the hard way when a certain specialist is needed in an emergency for a family member and there no longer is such a specialist in that community. But then it is too late.
LAGNIAPPE:
1- My new book, The Little Red Book of Leadership Lessons is in the hands of the publisher. Soon I will get proofs of the typesetting showing the optional ways to present the leadership quotes and the images. I am excited about the book. It has a Foreword by a popular leader (will keep you in suspense), an Introduction, 212 pages of leadership quotes from antiquity to present times, 100 images, and an Afterword. It joins the popular Little Red Book series.
It is is a book of ideas; ideas devoted to leadership promoting liberty. I hope you will like it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Publication date is October 2012 in hardcover. Will keep you posted on arrival date in books stores and via optional ebook at Amazon Kindle, iBooks, and Nook.
2- I read about St. John’s College many years ago and found it fascinating that the entire curriculum was 100 books. In order for a new book to be added, one of the other books had to be removed.
Wow! Imagine advocating for a new book and having to decide if either Aristole, Plato, Homer, Chaucer, Euclid, Galileo, or one of the others on the list would be removed.
There are two campuses: one in Annapolis and the other in Sante Fe.
See the Website: http://www.sjca.edu/
I mention St. John’s because I had never, to my knowledge, met a graduate of the school. Today I met one! She is Jill Knerr of the staff of the PIAA, a very nice person. It was fascinating to interview her about the school. She also informed me that her husband is a graduate of St. John’s. I will venture that there are some interesting philosophical discussions in their family! Definitely fun to meet a graduate of St. John’s!
Stay well.
Donald
P.S. check out some recent tweets at: www.Twitter.com/DJPNEWS
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: www.DJPupdate.com
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2300 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
1-Happy Easter! Happy Passover! May you have reflection, peace, and appreciation on these important days of remembrance.
2- DJP speech at AMA November 2011
At the Interim Meeting of the AMA, held in November 2011 in New Orleans, I was invited to give a speech on leadership to the Organized Medical Staff Section, an important group represented in the AMA House of Delegates.
AMA has informed me that AMA has posted that speech on the Internet and it can be used for CME credit. AMA also informed me that it is free to AMA members but non-AMA members are charged $75.00. All fees go to AMA.
Here is a note from Kathryn Tinney at AMA. You can contact her if you have any questions should you decide to watch and listen to the speech and have any problems online: kathryn.tinney@ama-assn.org or 312.464.5450.
———
The program is now live. Here is the link https://cme.ama-assn.org/Activity/1024546/Detail.aspx
——–
At that link you will find this:
Approved for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM
Doing the Right Thing for Our Patients- Leading as a Professional
Presented by the Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) of the American Medical Association. As the influence of health care reform unfolds, the role of physicians and their organizations will inevitably change. Given these changes, the relationship between physicians and their hospitals or physician organization will alter as a result. More physicians are becoming employed or under contract with an organization. Physicians will need to serve as leaders more now than ever to ensure the highest quality of care and value is provided in their communities and to protect the patient-physician relationship. Should you have any questions regarding this activity please contact Katie Tinney at kathryn.tinney@ama-assn.org or 312.464.5450.
…etc.
Faculty
Donald Palmisano, MD, JD, FACS – Clinical professor of surgery, Clinical professor of medical jurisprudence, Tulane University School of Medicine and Former president of AMA.
———–
I sent a handout of background information regarding leadership for the attending audience. The speech was extemporaneous without following a PowerPoint or printed outline. There was time for Q & A. The questions were good. In the video that I watched online, the 2nd question about another alternative to Medicare was heard but for some reason my response is missing and when you hear me speak I am answering the 3rd question regarding patient safety but the 3rd question is not heard on the video. I notified Katie Tinney and she will investigate. Perhaps the video had to be edited at the end to make it shorter in the Q & A portion but it is confusing for that one section. In the main talk, I give the lagniappe regarding my prediction that the U.S. Supreme Court would take up PPACA and also that it would be ruled unconstitutional by 5-4.
My point in the speech is one has to be a leader and do what is in the patient’s best interest. Don’t just accept dictates from government if you believe they hurt patients.
Check it out if time permits.
Stay well.
Donald
Some past selected DJP Updates can be found at: http://djpupdate.com/
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
Intrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager Company
5000 West Esplanade Ave., #432
Metairie, LA 70006
USA
504-455-5895 office
504-455-9392 fax
DJP@donaldpalmisano.com
www.donaldpalmisano.com
www.onleadership.us
DJP Updates: http://www.DJPupdate.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJPNEWS
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntrepidResources
This DJP Update goes to over 2400 leaders in Medicine representing all of the State Medical Associations and over 100 Specialty Societies plus some other friends.
You can share it with your members and it has the potential to reach 800,000 physicians.
To join the list, send me an email stating “Join DJP Update”
To get off the list, state ” Remove DJP Update” in subject line.
