CMS delegation represents Colorado at AMA Interim Meeting in Dallas

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 08:47 AM

Physician delegates and leadership representing the Colorado Medical Society traveled to Dallas to participate in the 2014 American Medical Association Interim Meeting, Nov. 8-11, joining the more than 500 physicians, residents and medical students from around the country who came together for activities and policy debate to shape the future of health care.

Robert McDonald, U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs, spoke at the House of Delegates opening session Saturday afternoon on access to care for America’s veterans. Also included in the opening session were awards presentations and addresses from AMA President Robert Wah, MD, and Executive Vice President James Madara, MD.

Following the opening session was an open forum on advancing medicine’s advocacy agenda during the upcoming lame duck session and into the 114th Congress, which convenes in January 2015. Two Texas congressmen—Reps. Michael Burgess, MD (R-Lewisville), and Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands)—told the AMA House of Delegates they will push to replace Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula when Congress reconvenes next week for the lame duck session. They asked for the AMA’s help to win final passage of the SGR repeal bill, which stalled earlier this year.

On Sunday, Arjun Srinivasan, MD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s associate director for health care associated infection prevention programs, discussed how to prepare for and manage Ebola patients in hospital and ambulatory care settings.

Also on Sunday, the Litigation Center held an open meeting during which Jason Kelly, MD, of Englewood, Colo., discussed a recent lawsuit brought against him for medical malpractice. A Colorado Court of Appeals ruling would have prevented the jury from considering the patient’s illegal cocaine usage, the most critical evidence in the case. With the help of CMS and the Litigation Center amicus briefs, the Colorado Supreme Court reversed the ruling. Katie Lozano, MD, CMS alternate delegate to the AMA, said he showed great strength of character sharing his case.

Throughout the weekend attendees participated in educational sessions and forums on a variety of topics, including how new hospital regulations will affect physicians and their staff, how to effectively use electronic payments, and pathophysiologic considerations during an in-flight emergency.

Members of the AMA House of Delegates considered numerous policies and reports on a range of issues including the expansion of safe disposal sites for prescription drugs, promoting improved electronic health records, facilitating state licensure for telemedicine services, and the role of pharmacists in improving immunization rates.

The AMA Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS) held its 36th Interim Meeting. It included a keynote by Capt. Thomas Chaby, an active duty Navy SEAL, who discussed the parallels between being a Navy SEAL and succeeding in the workplace. Programming featured a four-track focus: public health and improving health outcomes, innovation in medical education, leadership development, and health care legislation and advocacy.

The AMA Resident and Fellow Section (AMA-RFS) held its Interim Meeting as well, which included an education session on accelerating change in medical education.

The AMA Young Physicians Section (AMA-YPS) held its 2014 Interim Meeting; this group includes physician members under age 40 or within their first eight years of practice. Their meeting included a business meeting, networking sessions, and the development of positions on AMA-HOD business items.

Click here to view more Interim Meeting news on the AMA’s website.