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Patients, the past year and our profession

With the holiday season upon us, it's important to make sure our patients are aware of some health-related challenges that occur during this time of year.
Dec. 18, 2008

How we treat others—and ourselves

Perhaps you saw this story that appeared this week in The New York Times about abusive and disruptive behavior by physicians. Although the examples detailed in the article are the exception rather than the rule, they are difficult to read.
Dec. 11, 2008

From the mail bag

I'd like to thank the many readers who have sent me their comments in response to some of my columns so far. This week I'd like to share portions of a few.
Dec. 4, 2008

The medical home model

I'd like you to consider this paradox of our nation's health care system: Most physicians work and train in environments that focus on episodic and acute care, yet more than 125 million Americans suffer from at least one chronic condition. That total is expected to swell to 157 million by 2020.
Nov. 20, 2008

Serving America's patients and physicians: Ronald M. Davis, MD

In last week's column, I shared my thoughts about a dear friend and colleague, AMA Immediate past president Ronald M. Davis, MD. As you undoubtedly are aware, Dr. Davis passed away Nov. 6 after a courageous fight against pancreatic cancer.
Nov. 13, 2008

To my friend and colleague

About five months ago, AMA Immediate Past President Ronald Davis, MD, proudly stood before the AMA House of Delegates and remarked how great an honor it had been to serve as AMA president.
Nov. 6, 2008

Vote—and be an informed voter

In a few short days, America's physicians, medical students and patients will help decide the direction of our nation.
Oct. 30, 2008

New rules covering medical identity theft might apply to physicians

As part of the FTC implementation of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, physicians may need to comply with "red flag" regulations announced by the FTC, which require creditors of covered accounts to establish a program by Nov. 1 that can detect, prevent and mitigate medical identity theft.
Oct. 16, 2008

Protecting the rights of medical staffs

The state Supreme Court recently prevented a medical center in Fort Pierce, Fla., from infringing on its physicians' ability to safeguard high-quality medical care, a significant ruling for doctors and patients alike.
Oct. 9, 2008

Preventing violence and abuse

Oct. 8, which will be observed both as Stop America's Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Day and Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day.
Oct. 2, 2008

Reforming the Medicare physician payment system

In last week's column I mentioned a new federal program that will provide financial incentives to physicians who prescribe electronically beginning next year, part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act that was enacted in July.
Sept. 25, 2008

The benefits of e-prescribing

Much of the focus following our huge victory this summer regarding Medicare physician payments centered on steep cuts that were replaced by a continuation of a 0.5 percent update through this year and an additional 1.1 percent update for 2009.
Sept. 18, 2008

Gender equity in medicine

Gender equality has been a popular subject in this year's race for the White House. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., made a historic run for the Democratic Party's nomination for president, and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is the first Republican vice presidential nominee.
Sept. 11, 2008

The importance of disaster preparedness

As New Orleans and other Gulf Coast communities repair the damages wrought last weekend by Gustav, we can be thankful the storm wasn't a repeat of three years ago when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated much of the region.
Sept. 4, 2008

Helping reduce medical education debt

A few weeks ago I wrote a column about the looming shortage in our nation's physician work force. One aspect I didn't note is that the cost of medical education can deter many young Americans from choosing a career in medicine...
Aug. 28, 2008

Our human side

I spent this past weekend in West Virginia, helping my mother celebrate her 92nd birthday...
Aug. 7, 2008

Strengthening the work force

Earlier this year, AMA Immediate Past President Ronald M. Davis wrote a column in this space about the need to bolster our nation's physician work force. His column cited studies that forecast a serious shortage of physicians that threatens to hit in the coming years and noted ways to help increase the supply of doctors
July 31, 2008

Curbing physician profiling

You might recall some big news out of New York last year regarding programs used by health insurers to unfairly and inaccurately rank physicians—a practice known as "profiling."
July 24, 2008

Moving forward on Medicare

With both chambers of Congress overwhelmingly overriding President Bush's veto of the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008" (H.R. 6331) on Tuesday, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you.
July 17, 2008

Covering our nation's uninsured

Today's skyrocketing health care costs make having health insurance more important than ever before.
July 10, 2008

On battles and bridges

I have spoken publicly about the need for physicians to build bridges with others who may not be our natural bedfellows if we are to craft a solution to many of our health care problems.
July 3, 2008

Help "heal" the claims process

That's why earlier this month, during the Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates, the AMA launched a campaign to help "heal" the ailing...
June 26, 2008

Designing a bridge to a better health care system

I believe there's an important analogy between bridges that withstand high winds and stormy weather to provide safe passage across a chasm, and our opportunity to change our nation's health care system.
June 19, 2008

Farewell—and thank you

It's hard for me to believe that a year has already come and gone since I was inaugurated as president of the AMA.
June 13, 2008

From the mailbox

As my term as the AMA's president nears an end, so, too, does my time writing this column (my final one is next week).
June 6, 2008

The team approach to health care

I'd like to devote this column, in part, to Oncology Nursing Month, which is being observed this month.
May 29, 2008

Remembering our physicians in uniform

With Memorial Day being observed on Monday, May 26, I'd like to acknowledge all who have put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom, this country, and a way of life that embraces peace and friendship among all people.
May 22, 2008

E-prescribing and health information technology

The AMA had quite a presence in Washington, D.C., late last week.
May 15, 2008

Helping smokers quit

We've made great progress in tobacco control in the more than four decades since the U.S. Surgeon General's confirmed the causal link between smoking and lung cancer.
May 9, 2008

Medicare payment reform and balance billing

To be precise, the Medicare conversion factor is half a percentage point less than what it was seven years ago.
May 1, 2008

AMA members prominent on list of 50 most powerful physician executives

Readers of Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician have named the "50 most Powerful Physician Executives in Health Care" in the magazines' fourth annual ranking.
April 21, 2008

Making health care greener

Did you know that seven of every 10 Americans die each year of a chronic disease?
April 24, 2008

The AMA Alliance: making a difference in public health

This week I'd like to go into detail about the AMA Alliance's many community service projects and public health activities that promote the wellness of our nation.
April 17, 2008

The AMA Foundation: recognizing and supporting physicians

Of the several events held in Washington, D.C., before and during the AMA National Advocacy Conference (NAC), one of my favorites is the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards dinner and ceremony.
April 10, 2008

Medicare cuts and geriatric health

Hundreds of physicians capped off this week's AMA National Advocacy Conference (NAC) in Washington, D.C., with an impressive display of unity during a rally Wednesday at Capitol Hill's Upper Senate Park in support of the Save Medicare Act of 2008.
April 4, 2008

Ethics in the medical profession

You might have noticed in the general news portion of this newsletter an item about National Healthcare Decisions Day, which is being observed April 16, and the role that physicians play in discussing end-of-life issues with patients.
March 27, 2008

Bolstering our physician work force

Numerous reports during the past several years have forecast a looming shortage of physicians in the United States.
March 20, 2008

Mental health parity and physician-owned hospitals

Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would greatly benefit patients who suffer from mental illnesses, but it?s a bit of a mixed bag.
March 13, 2008

Working together to improve patient safety

Last month, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality finally released its long-awaited proposed rule to implement the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005.
March 7, 2008

Investigation of health insurers is a long time coming

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo continues to make big news targeting the questionable actions of some health insurers.
Feb. 28, 2008

Doctors in popular songs

What are the best songs in popular music in regards to lyrics about physicians?
Feb. 21, 2008

The Litigation Center of the AMA and State Medical Societies: fighting for physicians nationwide

California's medical students received some good news last month when the state's Supreme Court declined to review an appeal filed by the University of California in a closely watched legal battle involving student tuition hikes.
Feb. 14, 2008

Decision time looming on Medicare participation

About a week remains before the Feb. 15 deadline for physicians who wish to change their current Medicare participation or nonparticipation status for 2008.
Feb. 7, 2008

Addressing the rising cost of health care

Health care costs in the United States hit a new mark in 2006, increasing 6.7 percent to $2.1 trillion, or $7,026 per person, according to the most recent issue of Health Affairs.
Feb. 1, 2008

AMA conducting physician practice information survey

For the first time in nearly a decade, the American Medical Association, and more than 70 other medical specialty societies, have worked together to coordinate a comprehensive multi-specialty survey of America's physician practices.
Jan. 28, 2008

From the Mailbox

I continue to receive many interesting, candid, and informative e-mails from readers in response to some of my columns. As I did in the Sept. 20 column, I'd like to share some of them with you, along with brief replies.
Jan. 25, 2008

Resolutions for a healthy new year

The holiday season is a great opportunity to relax, spend time with family, and reflect on the past year. It's also a time when we tend to focus on accomplishments we want to achieve and goals we want to reach in the next 12 months.
Jan. 3, 2008

More reforms needed for medical liability system

Last month, Medical Liability Monitor released results of its annual rate survey, which reports the medical insurance rates of the nation's major insurers of physicians. The results are a bit of a mixed bag.
Jan. 17, 2008

Vote with the uninsured in mind

With the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries both in the books, the race to the White House has officially begun.
Jan. 10, 2008

Medicare cuts prevented (for now), SCHIP extended

This week, Congress passed legislation that would replace a scheduled 10.1 percent cut in 2008 Medicare physician payments with a 0.5 percent increase through June 30, 2008.
Dec. 20, 2007

Good Samaritan actions and laws

Is there a doctor on board this flight? Please press your call button if you're a physician.
Dec. 13, 2007

CPT: what it is and how it works

Have you ever wondered where Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)codes originate?
Dec. 6, 2007

AMA private advocacy: working for you

Good news emerged out of New York earlier this week when state lawmakers promised to pass a law that would force health insurers that unfairly rank physicians (known as "profiling" or "economic credentialing") to put patient care first instead of using cost as the sole measure.
Nov. 29, 2007

Help stop the Medicare cuts

Time is getting short. Without congressional action, Medicare physician payments will be slashed 10 percent on Jan. 1. Worse, this year's Medicare Trustees report predicts that cuts will total about 40 percent by 2016.
Nov. 15, 2007

AMA conducts physician practice information survey

For the first time in nearly a decade, the American Medical Association, and more than 70 other medical specialty societies, have worked together to coordinate a comprehensive multi-specialty survey of America's physician practices.
Nov. 8, 2007

Exercise: a dose of medicine we all can use

If you learned that a single prescription could prevent and treat dozens of diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, would you prescribe it to your patients? I'll bet most of you would.
Nov. 8, 2007

20/220 vision helping residents repay debt

Last week I had an opportunity to take part in a roundtable discussion on issues affecting the practice of medicine during a breakfast event hosted by the Sangamon County Medical Society in downstate Illinois.
Nov. 1, 2007

Perspectives on correctional health care

I recently had the privilege of meeting and speaking to attendees of the annual meeting of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).
Oct 25. 2007

Reducing alcohol abuse and underage drinking

Did you know that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 25,000 lives have been saved since states began setting the legal drinking age to 21?
Oct. 18, 2007

Physicians pioneering quality improvement

Improving the quality of health care is a critically important challenge facing our health care system.
Oct. 11, 2007

New law improves drug safety

Physicians and patients recorded an important victory last week when legislation reauthorizing the Prescription Drug User Fee Act.
Oct. 4, 2007

It's flu season-please vaccinate and get vaccinated

A combination of cooler temperatures and the approach of October on the calendar indicates one thing: Influenza season is here.
Sept. 27, 2007

From the mailbox

I've received many interesting-and candid-e-mails from readers in response to some of my columns so far. I'd like to share portions of a few.
Sept. 20, 2007

Healthy meetings and conferences: Let's practice what we preach

All of us know the statistics about the obesity epidemic in this country and its impact on diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, and many other conditions. So why do we do such a poor job at practicing what we preach?
Sept 6, 2007

Alert: Medicare starting to reject claims with NPI discrepancies

The AMA is alerting physicians that Medicare must be able to match a physician's appropriate PIN to his or her correct NPI and may reject claims if a match cannot be made.
Sept 14, 2007

Medicare cuts and final SCHIP legislation

Negotiations are underway on Capitol Hill to piece together final legislation that would reauthorize the SCHIP.
Sept 13, 2007

Word oddities in medicine

The last two president's columns did not contain my usual addendum on "the lighter side." So this column will give you a double dose of distraction from weighty issues in medicine as we wrap up our summer.
Aug 30, 2007

Share your voice for the uninsured

If you picked up a copy of today's New York Times or USA Today, you might have spotted one of these ads inside.
Aug 23, 2007

FDA authority over tobacco

Did you know that every day, about 4,000 kids in the United States will try a cigarette for the first time, and more than 1,000 will become daily smokers?
Aug 16, 2007

Predictably, another unpredictable disaster

I'd like to send my gratitude to the many physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care, rescue, and community support teams who responded to the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis last week.
Aug 9, 2007

CHAMP Act wins House approval

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an important piece of legislation yesterday that would have a significant impact on access to care for millions of America's children and seniors.
Aug 2, 2007

Rankings and report cards

Readers love rankings and report cards. Every week seems to bring us another list of the best or worst of whatever.
July 26, 2007

From the president

Patient safety advocates earned a well-deserved victory last week when Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a bill that would have given psychologists limited prescribing rights.
July 19, 2007

A win-win proposal for children's health

Millions of children like these, on playgrounds across the country, are seriously at risk because they have no health insurance.
July 12, 2007

Sense and nonsense from Sicko

The movie addresses some of the core issues the AMA has been working on for years, especially the plight of the uninsured and the abuses of corporations that put profits over patients.
July 06, 2007

From the president

June 28, 2007

AMA members prominent on list of 50 most powerful physician executives

Readers of Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician have named the "50 Most Powerful Physician Executives in Healthcare" in the magazine's third annual ranking.
May 14, 2007

Physicians honored for heroism, excellence

In recognition of their remarkable volunteer work, leadership skills and contributions to their communities, a small group of medicine's everyday heroes received the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards on Monday.
Feb 12, 2007

Several factors affecting 2007 Medicare payment rates

New legislation concerning the Medicare fee-for-service program contains a number of very important provisions affecting physicians and other providers and suppliers of services to Medicare enrollees.
Jan 10, 2007

After physicians sue, insurer abandons flawed health plan network

Less than one week after the AMA Litigation Center joined the WSMA and six physicians in their lawsuit fighting Regence BlueShield's deeply flawed Select Network program, the insurer dropped the program.
Dec 12, 2006

After aggressive AMA-led campaign, Medicare physician payment cut averted

With America's physicians and their patients calling for action, Congress on Dec. 9 passed legislation to prevent a scheduled 5 percent cut in 2007 Medicare physician payments, and instead freeze payment rates for one year.
Dec 10, 2006

AMA Litigation Center joins suit against health insurer over flawed network

The AMA Litigation Center recently joined the WSMA and six physicians in their suit against Regence BlueShield in response to the insurer's introduction of its severely flawed "high performance" network program.
Dec 05, 2006

AMA members connect in North Carolina

Physicians and medical students connect with AMA leadership in small, interactive group settings to ask questions and exchange ideas about the AMA's agenda and priorities.
Oct 05, 2006

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