The American
College of Radiation Oncology was represented at the 2010 AMA Annual Meeting, June 12-16, in Chicago, IL by Dr. Dennis
Galinsky, Delegate and Dr. Mohammed Khan, Alternate Delegate. Dr. Paul Schilling, Delegate, attended as a representative of the American College of Radiology.
Medicare Payment Reform
Medicare Payment Reform issues dominated the discussion, as frustration about
the lack of a permanent replacement for the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula intensified. In a recent AMA survey of 9,000 physicians,
20% of physicians restrict the number of Medicare patients that they see and
33% of primary care physicians restrict the number of Medicare patients that
they see.
Delegates passed a
resolution calling for the AMA to "immediately formulate legislation" for an
additional payment option and Medicare Fee for service that allows patients and
physicians to freely contract, without penalty, for a fee that
differs from the Medicare payment schedule. If adopted, this BIll would allow physicians to balance the
difference between the Medicare fee schedule and their regular fee schedules with patients. Furthermore, there was substantial sentiment to have the AMA take control
of authoring any proposed bill in an effort to focus on the care of patients. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that
writing a Bill has ever been a directive for the AMA to take.
Click here to review the highlights of the meeting.
E-Cigarette Regulation
Delegates voted in favor of
report from the AMA Council on Science and Public Health, recommending that
E-cigarettes be classified as a nicotine delivery device and subject to
regulation by the FDA.
Smoke-Free Housing
Delegates passed a resolution
that encouraged local housing authorities to adopt policies prohibiting smoking
in multiple-unit housing. There is
substantial evidence pointing to the risks of second-hand smoke, as well as
third-hand smoke (the residue the remains on walls, carpeting and other
surfaces for extended periods).
Skin Cancer Awareness
Delegates voted for the AMA to
work with public health agencies to promote skin cancer screening and education
and sunscreen use among all people, but especially among patients of
color. It was noted that 5-year survival
rates for melanoma is significantly lower in African-American patients than
Caucasian patients (59% versus 85%), and melanoma incidents among Hispanics has
increased dramatically.
Feedback
Interested in supplying your Delegates with feedback? Simply reply to this email with any comments, questions or concerns.
|
