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Upcoming Events for
Wednesday, May 14
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Board Action Reports
BOARD ACTION REPORT #2 - HOD Resolution 9-05A – Geographic Selection of AMA Delegates by MSMS House of Delegates Members. The House disapproved the recommendation and referred the resolution back to the Board for further study. RECOMMENDATION: That no action be taken on Resolution 9-05A, "Geographic Selection of AMA Delegates by MSMS House of Delegates Members." The Board assigned Resolution 9-05A to the Task Force to Review House of Delegates for study and recommendation. The resolution asked that the MSMS Board of Directors recommend changes to the method of election of the MSMS delegation to the AMA House of Delegates that will give fair geographic representation. The Task Force reviewed data showing the distribution of current AMA delegates and alternates by geographic location. Most on the Task Force agreed that the current distribution of AMA delegates and alternate delegates is not unduly disproportionate and that regionalizing the election of AMA delegates and alternates would lead to further slotting of seats, i.e., specialty, ethnicity, or gender. The Board concurred with the Task Force and is recommending that no action be taken on Resolution 9-05A. RATIONALE: The Committee heard strong testimony that the current AMA delegation does not represent the entire membership across the state. The Committee would like the Board to study different ways to determine AMA representation including geographic selection. BOARD ACTION REPORT #7 – HOD Resolution 39-05A – Michigan Health Care Access. The House approved the recommendation that no action be taken on this resolution. RECOMMENDATION: That no action be taken on Resolutions 39-05A, “Michigan Health Care Access.” Resolution 39-05A was referred to the MSMS Board of Directors for study. The Board assigned the Resolution to the Advisory Committee on Medical Economics for review and recommendation. This resolution asked that MSMS call upon Governor Jennifer Granholm to establish a commission to study the financing of health care in Michigan so that all citizens in Michigan shall have access to a system which is affordable, efficient, provides an adequate level of care for all, promotes prevention and early intervention, and provides continuity of care (portability across employers). The Committee acknowledged that there was ongoing MSMS activity to address the issues raised in this resolution through the Future of Medicine study and Task Force activities. This resolution, along with Resolutions 66-05A, “Development of a State-Wide Primary Care Capital Corporation, and 84-05A, “Large Group Insurance Pools for the Uninsured,” refer to elements of health system reform or insurance reform, issues that are currently being addressed by the Task Force on the Future of Medicine. All three resolutions were shared with the Task Force so that the intention of the resolutions could be taken into consideration. In order to avoid duplication of efforts, the Board agreed with the Committee that these issues were addressed in the Guiding Principles for the Future of Medicine and Health Care and recommends that no action be taken on Resolution 39-05A. BOARD ACTION REPORT #17 – Resolution 84-05A – Large Group Insurance Pools for the Uninsured. The House approved the recommendation that no action be taken on this resolution. RECOMMENDATION: That no action be taken on Resolution 8405A, “Large Group Insurance Pools for the Uninsured.” Resolution 84-05A was referred to the MSMS Board of Directors for study and assigned to the Advisory Committee on Medical Economics for review and recommendation. This resolution asked that MSMS work with the legislature to investigate the formation of a large group insurance pool to offer medical insurance coverage to the uninsured at a discount so there is some hope of affordability. The reference committee acknowledged that there was ongoing MSMS activity to address the issues raised in Resolutions 39-05A through the Future of Medicine study and task force activities. This resolution, along with Resolutions 39-05A, “Michigan Health Care Access; and 66-05A, “Development of a State-Wide Primary Care Capitol Corporation” refer to elements of health system reform or insurance reform, issues that are currently being addressed by the Task Force on the Future of Medicine. All three resolutions were shared with the Task Force so that the intention of the resolutions could be taken into consideration. In order to avoid duplication of efforts, the Board agreed with the Committee that these issues were addressed in the Guiding Principles for the Future of Medicine and Health Care and recommends that no action be taken on Resolution 84-05A. BOARD ACTION REPORT #20 – Resolution 99-05A – Medicaid Funding. The House approved the recommendation that this resolution be adopted. RECOMMENDATION: That Resolution 99-05A, “Medicaid Funding,” be adopted. Resolution 99-05A was referred to the Board for study. The Board assigned the resolution to the Medicaid Liaison Committee for review and recommendation. This resolution asked that interest earned on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) loss reserve fund be used to help fund the Medicaid program. The Committee agreed with the intent of the author, which is to identify alternative sources of funding for the Medicaid program in Michigan. At the time that this Resolution was introduced, a provider tax on physicians was being pursued to provide necessary funds for the operation of the Medicaid program. While the threat of a provider tax has diminished, the Committee still believes that the sentiment of Resolution 99-05A has merit. As the largest insurer in Michigan, as well as the beneficiary of favorable regulatory provisions and tax-exempt status, the Committee questioned the possession of BCBSM reserves of this magnitude. The Committee acknowledged that there is not a great deal of political support for this measure. The concept certainly raises questions about the role BCBSM has within the health care safety net. The Committee was made aware that a nearly identical motion had been made by the MSMS Committee on Legislation and Regulations, which was approved by the Board. The Board agreed with the recommendation of the Committee and
recommends adoption of Resolution 99-05A.
RESOLUTION 1-06A Title: Physician Representation on Local Board of Health. Adopted. RESOLVED: That MSMS ask the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health to officially request that each local board of health in Michigan have added as a voting member of its board of health a local physician recommended by one of the local county medical societies within the jurisdiction of the local health department; and be it further RESOLVED: That MSMS seek changes in the Public Health Code to require local physician representation on local Boards of Health in Michigan. RESOLUTION 3-06A Title: Tobacco-Free Michigan Campaign Resolution. Substitute
Resolution (in lieu of Resolutions 3-06A and 55-06A). Adopted. RESOLVED: That MSMS request that the Michigan House and Senate
pass legislation RESOLUTION 93-06A Title: Ban on Smoking in Public Places. Adopted. RESOLVED: That MSMS seek legislation at the state level calling for a ban on smoking at all public places. RATIONALE: This resolution affirms existing MSMS policy. RESOLUTION 94-06A Title: Covering the Uninsured as AMA's Top Priority.
Tabled – No
Action. RESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the AMA ask the AMA
House of Delegates to support the immediate passage of AMA Medical
Student Section Resolution 10 (I-05), “Covering the Uninsured
as AMA's Top Priority.” I have brought back 6 pounds of Handbook materials and am available to you to discuss any issue of interest to you. Please go to the link to www.msms.org to see the MSMS priorities for the coming year. The Top Ten list gives you quick access to summaries of the MSMS agenda. Legislative priorities of concern to all of us are Medicare and Medicaid payment reform and Medical Liability concerns. Working together with our AMA we had success in thwarting the 4.5% cut scheduled for physician Medicare payments this year, but your assistance is needed to urge our legislators to reform the outmoded payment system. We were successful in blocking Governor Granholm's plans for a tax on Physician's gross receipts to fund Medicaid. We need to be vigilant, for she has not yet given up on that. Let lawmakers know that you support a smoke-free Michigan. Click on the "Contact Lawmakers" bullet and then the action center for an easy way to let you views be known! AN impressive project of our Medical Society has been "The Future of Medicine and Health Care Survey". Public Sector Consultants was employed by MSMS to survey 67 important stakeholders in Michigan health care to ask, "Where should health care be in five years?" Leaders in business, labor, government, consumer groups, hospitals, nursing, insurers, health plans, long term care and law agreed that a change in direction was needed and that physicians should help lead the way. Themes that emerged were Quality, Accountability, Transformation, Leadership, Courage and Teamwork. Our Board of Directors has appointed three workgroups that will begin meeting in June to address the issues of Wellness, Administrative Simplification and Essential Benefits. I encourage each of you to study the materials that MSMS will be sending to you and are also available at www.msms.org. Please talk to Robert, John or me about the HOD meeting. It is most impressive to us that knowledgeable and concerned physicians have taken time to participate in discussions to address issues of importance to you. Please take the time to scan the summary of the proceedings: www.superiormed.org/seminar.html. Let your delegates know how you feel about an issue. We can put you in touch with physicians, members and MSMS staff who can assist you. Our MACMS has had continuous involvement with the MSMS AMA Delegation for over 35 years through the work of George Wilson, Bush Ahmad and me. I'm now 70 years old and my further participation has limits. If you want to continue to be represented at the AMA level it's important that you identify your future leaders now. Please let me know how I can assist you. Carl Hammerstrom
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