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        Newsletter of the American College of Medical Quality
In This Issue
Editorial: Changing Care Model
Article: Walmart's Impact
President's Column: News From the Top
Medical Quality 2010
American Board of Medical Quality
Medical Quality Management: Theory and Practice
Changing Care Model for Diabetes:  Delivering savings 
AND superior outcomes
Neil R. West, MD, Editor 
     Health Care reform debates are swirling about the country like so many dust devils here in the Arizona desert. If you just step back from the rhetoric there are some very interesting projects moving along without much fanfare from the 24/7 news channels.
     Managing chronic diseases in a disadvantaged population has been the forte of the El Rio community health center in Tucson, AZ.  Sandra Leal, PharmD and Arthur Martinez, MD have built a model using a pharmacist to manage a population of upwards of 8,000 diabetics.  Continue reading
Walmart's Impact on the National Marketplace in the Context of Health Care Reform
Jason Hill, Director of Federal Government Relations, Walmart 

     Editor's introduction: Supply chain management is a strong suit for WalMart. (see Sept-Oct 09 issue of Health Affairs). The introduction of $4 copay on generics caused a tidal wave of change across pharmacies in the U.S. Some copays are even $0 now! WalMart has been actively engaged in the healthcare reform discussions and we invited them to share a commentary with our readers.
      Walmart serves more than 140 million customers every week in our stores and clubs throughout the United States, and we learn a great deal from our shoppers about what's on the minds of the American people. We also understand how much accessible, affordable health care affects businesses. Today, Walmart provides health care coverage to almost 1.2 million associates and their families, and more than 94 percent of our full- and part-time associates are covered by some form of health care. Yet, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, six out of every 10 retailers do not provide health insurance to their employees. Continue reading
  
News From the Top
Donald E. Fetterolf, MD, MBA, President
     This month the ACMQ Board of Trustees met at one of its regularly scheduled meetings in Chicago.  I'd like to take this column to discuss a number of projects we have underway.
      First, we have entertained a number of proposals to include our numerous programs and activities into an online educational portal for the membership.  We will incorporate content from our annual meeting, regularly scheduled audio conferences, printed material, textbook information and slide decks in this site for your personal use as clinicians, educators and individuals interested in advancing quality in medical care.  Anyone interested in working on this project to engage in a learning project to understand web based transmission of knowledge and CME credits should contact me at president@acmq.org.  Continue reading
  
2010 conference logoMEDICAL QUALITY 2010
Health Care Reform: Balancing Cost and Quality
  • See the educational program, designed to give quality professionals information they can use to improve performance outcomes;
  • Register at the early discount rate;
  • Submit an abstract, using the special abstract website where you set up your submission account, deadline just extended to October 15.
  • Book your hotel room early at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City 
  
American Board of Medical Quality (ABMQ) and the CMQ Exam
  • Read the exam eligibility criteria and the study material guide;
  • Apply to take the CMQ exam on February 20, 2010 in Washington, DC, using the application form in the Candidates' Manual.
  • The ABME Review Committee will consider and approve your application and notify you when you are approved to take the exam.

The goal of ABMQ is to evaluate medical professionals who have an interest in the field of quality and to provide objective certification and re-certification of their credentials and core knowledge. 

Book coverMembers Only!
 
Purchase Medical Quality Management: Theory and Practice direct from the publisher at 20% off list price.  Go to the book's website and use the coupon code ACMQ, or order at amazon.com. Or call Jones and Bartlett at 1-800-832-0034 to order. Or call ACMQ at 1-800-924-2149 to order from ACMQ stock.