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Your YPS Delegation team is pleased to announce the results
of a very successful American Medical Association House of
Delegates meeting. We carried five resolutions to the House
and were responsible for generating 3 reports that were
considered at this meeting. Three of our resolutions were
adopted, one was on the reaffirmation calendar, and one was
referred to the Board of Trustees. We were also able to
influence the recommendations of a number of council reports
to better reflect YPS policy. We would like to thank the
following YPS Assembly and Governing Council members for their
active participation and assistance with our issues:
John Armstrong, MD, Mark Bair, MD, Melissa Behringer, MD,
Howard Chodash, MD, Todd Coulter, MD, Heidi Dunniway, MD,
Stephen Epstein, MD, Tom Frates, MD, Paul Friedrichs, MD, Eric
Gertner, MD, Stu Gitlow, MD, Beulette Hooks, MD, Sanjay Jain,
MD, Craig Kliger, MD, Joy Ann Kroser, MD, Colin McDonald, MD,
Jerry McLaughlin, MD, Scott McMurray, MD, Shannon Pryor, MD,
Pamela Ross, MD, Chad Rubin, MD, Frank Salvi, MD, Joseph
Selby, MD, Jennifer Shu, MD, Erin Tracy, MD, Jennifer
Trottman, MD, Joe Valenti, MD, Dan Vick, MD, and Colette
Willins, MD.
It is through their hard work, and yours, that we were so
successful in our efforts on behalf of young physicians!
A summary of actions taken on issues relevant to our
section follow, listed by Reference Committee. Our resolutions
and reports generated in response to our resolutions or
testimony are highlighted in bold type. Substitute
language is also included in bold type in order to
differentiate it from our commentary, but the title is
not.
Reference Committee on Amendments to
Constitution and Bylaws
COUNCIL ON CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS AND THE COUNCIL ON LONG
RANGE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT 1 – MISSION OF THE
SECTIONS (Recommendations of the report adopted and the
remainder filed.
Several of the sections, including our delegation, proposed
changing recommendation 2d of the report to enhance membership
value. This was not changed by the reference committee and the
original language remains (enhance membership growth). Your
delegation team urges all Assembly members to assist our
Section in recruiting and retaining members.
RESOLUTION 1 – FINANCIAL INCENTIVES BY MANAGED CARE SYSTEMS
ON PATIENTS (Substitute Resolution 1 adopted.)
We supported this resolution as it was similar to our own
Resolution 701, which was reaffirmed. The reference committee
recommended non-adoption based on current policy, but the
resolution was amended to better reflect YPS policy on which
we testified. The House voted to adopt the amended resolution
as follows:
Resolved, That our American Medical Association Board of
Trustees make a clear statement to reaffirm that health care
delivery systems should not be permitted to place physician
financial incentives to limit care over patient care
interest.
Reference Committee A (Medical
Service)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT 29 – ON-CALL PHYSICIANS TASK FORCE
(Adopted as amended by addition of Recommendation 4.)
- That our AMA serve as a clearinghouse for sharing local
solutions that address physician on-call problems.
This report was in response to our resolution. We did not
feel the original report was strong enough and recommended
addition of recommendation 4, above, which was
adopted.
COUNCIL ON MEDICAL SERVICE REPORT 4 – PRINCIPLES FOR
STRUCTURING A HEALTH INSURANCE TAX CREDIT (Adopted as
amended.)
This report lays out a plan for the AMA to address access
to health insurance coverage for the uninsured. It is a very
important report and your delegation team urges you to review
the report on the AMA web site. The amendment is included here
for your reference. There was extensive debate in the
reference committee and on the House floor, particularly with
regard to Recommendation 2(c), dealing with the inverse
relationship between income to the amount of tax credit, which
was ultimately adopted as initially recommended by the
Council. The amendment is as follows:
2.i) Tax credits should be applicable only for the purchase
of health insurance, including all components of qualified
medical savings accounts, and not for out-of-pocket health
expenditures.
RESOLUTION 108 – REIMBURSEMENT FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING
(Substitute Resolution 108 adopted.)
This substitute resolution addressed the issue of
reimbursement for ultrasound imaging and reaffirmed current
AMA policy regarding scope of practice for ultrasound imaging.
The additional language is included below:
Resolved, That our AMA support reimbursement for ultrasound
imaging performed by appropriately trained physicians.
RESOLUTION 117 – REIMBURSEMENT OF ON-CALL PHYSICIANS
(Adopted.)
This resolution calls for reimbursement for physicians who
are on call for the hospital.
RESOLUTION 130 – HALT TRANSITION OF MEDICARE PRACTICE
EXPENSES (Substitute Resolution 130 adopted.)
This was one of the most hotly debated resolutions of the
meeting. Most of the specialty delegations were in favor of
halting transition to new geographic practice expense data
which they feel (and HCFA acknowledges) is inaccurate. Many
primary care groups were opposed to this because they would
benefit from the continued transition in Medicare
reimbursement. There was testimony that primary groups would
possibly benefit as well from delaying the transition due to
the possibility of increased reimbursement for all physicians.
Language that was adopted is included:
Resolved, 1) That our AMA seek Congressional action if
sufficient funding can be obtained through the current budget
surplus to increase the money allocated to the Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule, for the purpose of seeking a halt to
the amendments of the practice expense provisions of the
Medicare law at the 2000 level (50% 1998 PE RVUs blended with
50% proposed 2002 PE RVUs), except for the office visit and
office consultation codes, which would continue to increase to
their projected 2002 levels, and 2)If sufficient funding
cannot be obtained, that our AMA continue to support the
transition of Medicare practice expenses.
RESOLUTION 131 – TIMELY PROCESSING OF MEDICARE ID NUMBER
APPLICATIONs (Adopted.)
This was our resolution regarding timely (within 45 days)
processing of applications for Medicare ID numbers and
education of physicians that billing under another’s number is
considered fraud by HCFA.
Reference Committee B
(Legislation)
RESOLUTION 202 – PEER REVIEW AND THE MANDATORY FEDERAL
REPORTING OF ERRORS; RESOLUTION 203 – EXTENDING PEER REVIEW
PROTECTIONS TO VOLUNTARY REPORT SYSTEMS; RESOLUTION 206 –
ADVOCATING FOR QUALITY MEDICAL CARE; RESOLUTION 214 –
INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE REPORT "TO ERR IS HUMAN"; RESOLUTION 223
– PATIENT SAFETY; RESOLUTION 229 – MEDICAL ERRORS; RESOLUTION
232 – REPORTING MECHANISM FOR MEDICATION ERRORS; RESOLUTION
233 – PROTECTION OF HEALTH CARE ERROR INFORMATION; RESOLUTION
236 – ADVOCATING FOR QUALITY MEDICAL CARE; RESOLUTION 242 –
MEDICAL MISTAKES STUDY; RESOLUTION 247 – REPORTING AND
REDUCTION OF MEDICAL ERRORS (Amended Substitute Resolution 202
was adopted in lieu of the above resolutions. The title was
changed to "Patient Safety.")
Resolved, that our AMA continue its advocacy efforts in the
area of patient safety and work to promote a meaningful
long-term approach to ensure greater patient safety in the
delivery of health care in our nation.
Resolved, that our AMA work in collaboration with the
National Patient Safety Foundation, national medical specialty
societies, state and local medical societies, other provider
groups and a broad range of public and private organizations
to continually advance efforts to improve patient safety
through educational activities and all other available means
to discover and promote "best practices" in the delivery of
health care services.
Resolved, That our AMA continue to advance non-punitive,
evidenced-based health systems error data collection as well
as strong legal protections for participants in safety
programs. At a minimum, these protections must ensure that all
information reported or otherwise gathered in the process of
patient safety and error reporting programs (including any
data, report, memorandum, analysis, statement, or other
communication) intended either for internal use, or to be
shared with others solely for the same purposes, remain
confidential and not be subject to discovery in legal
proceedings. Such protections must extend from the time of
reporting to post-incident review activities and with regard
to the repositories of identifiable data from such reporting
programs.
Resolved, that our AMA continue to call for a central role
for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in
coordinating the multifaceted, multi-industry national patient
safety initiative envisioned by the AMA. The AHRQ must have
sufficient funding to carry out research and development
activities to support and advance public and private patient
safety initiatives across the nation.
Resolved, that our AMA use all appropriate means to convey
progress on its patient safety initiatives to the entire
Federation of medicine.
Resolved, That our AMA continue to help us inform our
patients and the public in general concerning on-going efforts
to improve quality and reduce errors in medical care.
Resolved, That our AMA prepare a thorough analysis of the
IOM report, its recommendations, and its implications, and
report back to the Interim 2000 meeting of the House of
Delegates.
The overall topic of peer review and confidentiality and
patient safety is addressed in this substitute resolution.
RESOLUTION 209 – IMMOBILIZATION OF VEHICLES OF REPEAT
OFFENDERS OF ALCOHOL-RELATED DRIVING OFFENSES (Referred to the
BOT.)
This resolution asked the AMA to develop model legislation
regarding incapacitation of vehicles of repeat offenders of
drunk driving. Your delegation team calls this to your
attention due to YPS Assembly action on a similar
resolution.
RESOLUTION 210, Tax Exempt Status of Student Loan Interest
(This resolution was put on reaffirmation calendar.)
Your YPS delegates will submit a resolution at I-00 to
amend the language and to establish consistency with YPS
policy. YPS policy is more specific regarding deductibility of
student loan interest and the income cap.
RESOLUTION 235 – EMTALA CHANGES; RESOLUTION 243 –
OPPOSITION TO EMTALA EXPANSION (Substitute Resolution 235 was
adopted in lieu of the above resolutions.)
Resolved, That our American Medical Association
expeditiously identify solutions to the patient care and legal
problems created by current Emergency Medical Treatment and
Active Labor Act (EMTALA) rules and regulations.
Resolved, That our AMA urgently seek return to the original
congressional intent of EMTALA to prevent hospitals with
emergency departments from turning away or transferring
patients without health insurance.
Resolved, That our AMA strongly oppose any regulatory or
legislative changes that would further increase liability for
failure to comply with ambiguous EMTALA requirements.
This issue has been of interest to many members of our
assembly.
RESOLUTION 244 – MISAPPLICATION OF FRAUD AND ABUSE LAWS;
RESOLUTION 246 – FRAUD AND ABUSE MODEL COMPLIANCE PLAN
EDUCATION PROGRAM (Substitute Resolution 244 was adopted in
lieu of the above resolutions.)
Resolved, That our American Medical Association continue to
make the relief of oppressive and overzealous application of
fraud and abuse regulations a high priority and take whatever
action is necessary to challenge improprieties in the
application of fraud and abuse laws against physicians.
Resolved, That our AMA collaborate with state and component
medical societies to develop an educational program for
physicians on how to be in compliance with current fraud and
abuse laws.
Resolved, That our AMA continue implementation of our new
web-based fraud and abuse tutorial system, and after careful
review upon release of final Physician Office Compliance
Guidelines issued by the Office of the Inspector General of
the Department of Health and Human Services, provide member
physicians with information and advice consistent with those
guidelines and advocate for physicians with the OIG regarding
these guidelines.
This substitute resolution addresses the overzealous
application of fraud and abuse regulations. The substitute
firmly states that physicians should not be subjected to
HCFA’s abusive and aggressive tactics.
Reference Committee C (Medical
Education)
COUNCIL ON MEDICAL EDUCATION REPORT 7 – IMPACT OF THE NLRB
RULING IN THE BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER Case (Recommendations
adopted and the remainder filed.)
The recommendations of the Council calling for continued
evaluation of the NLRB ruling and that it’s impact on graduate
medical education continue to be studied were adopted.
RESOLUTION 301 – POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
REIMBURSEMENT; RESOLUTION 308 – FUNDING FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL
EDUCATION (Substitute Resolution 301 was adopted.)
Resolved, That our American Medical Association study the
formula for funding graduate medical education that is used by
Medicare, and make recommendations to ensure that all sites
where resident physicians are trained are included in the
funding formula; and be it further
Resolved, That AMA policy H-305.976 (Financing of Graduate
Medical Education), which states that the AMA should work to
ensure an adequate and stable national system for the funding
of graduate medical education, be reaffirmed; and be it
further
Resolved, That AMA policies related to the mechanisms for
the funding of graduate medical education be reviewed and, if
appropriate, be consolidated.
YPS policy is in strong support of broad-based funding for
graduate medical education.
RESOLUTION 303 – NATIONAL LICENSURE FOR PHYSICIANS (Not
Adopted.)
This resolution asked for the AMA to study and report on
the feasibility and implications of national licensure for
physicians. There was much testimony regarding this issue and
the House voted to not adopt due to the fiscal considerations
and the current actions of the Federation of State Medical
Boards in this area. The FSMB plans to share the results of
its study on this issue with the AMA when its findings are
completed.
RESOLUTION 307 – PHARMACISTS’ EXPANDED SCOPE OF PRACTICE
(Substitute Resolution 307 – Non-Physicians’ Expanded Scope of
Practice (Laboratory Testing and Test Interpretation) was
adopted.)
This substitute resolution states that only those people
with appropriate clinical education and training be allowed to
order and interpret laboratory results solely under the
supervision of licensed physicians and seeks to implement this
policy through appropriate legislative and regulatory efforts.
Your YPS policy is strongly against expanded scope of practice
and in support of the substitute resolution as follows:
Resolved, That our AMA, through appropriate legislative or
regulatory efforts, seek to ensure that diagnostic laboratory
testing should only be performed by those individuals who
possess appropriate clinical education and training, under the
supervision of licensed physicians (MD/DO); and be it
further
Resolved, That the AMA, through appropriate legislative or
regulatory efforts, seek to limit laboratory test ordering and
interpretation of test results solely to licensed physicians
(MD/DO) and licensed dentists.
Reference Committee D (Public Health)
COUNCIL ON SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS REPORT 1 – PREVENTING
NEEDLESTICK INJURIES IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS (Recommendations
adopted as amended.)
This report discusses the continued development and use of
safety needles and discusses recent or pending regulatory and
legislative activity. Your delegation team, at the direction
of the YPS Assembly, was successful in modifying the
recommendations of the Council to include "physicians and
other health care workers" in the evaluation and
implementation of needlestick prevention devices. The
reference committee agreed that the change better reflected
the nature of medical practice and the need to work with
others in the health care community to reduce needlestick
injuries.
RESOLUTION 414 – ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES
(Adopted.)
This resolution calls upon our AMA to engage in activities
with the United States Department of Health and Human Services
to work for the elimination of health disparities in society
and achieve the national health objectives of Healthy People
2010.
Reference Committee E (Science and
Technology)
COUNCIL ON SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS REPORT 6 – THE PHYSICIAN’S
ROLE IN ORGAN DONATION (Recommendation adopted as amended and
the remainder filed.)
This report presents background information on organ
procurement and implementation of the HCFA conditions of
participation (COP), and clarifies the physician’s role in the
organ donation. The amended language seeks to include the
attending physician prior to initiation of organ donation
requests and to include the attending physician in the
discussion with the family if he or she so desires.
COUNCIL ON SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS REPORT 9 – SCREENING AND
EARLY DETECTION OF PROSTATE CANCER (in lieu of Resolution 517)
(Recommendations adopted as amended and the remainder
filed.)
This report reviews the principles of screening and
evaluates the efficacy and potential risks and benefits of
screening for prostate cancer with digital rectal exams and
measurement of prostate specific antigen. The language in the
recommendations was clarified to reflect the need to detect
early prostate cancers in at-risk men.
RESOLUTION 501 – PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTION IN PHYSICIANS’
PRACTICES (Adopted as amended.)
This was our resolution which sought to clarify the intent
of communications from pharmacists and pharmaceutical benefits
managers regarding physician medication prescriptions, and
seeks model patient information language educating patients
that this information is being discussed without their
awareness. The reference committee testimony was supportive of
the intent, but was concerned with the wording in our resolved
clauses. The reference committee felt that current AMA policy
on patient confidentiality and privacy addressed the second
resolved, and the first resolved was used to amend current AMA
policy H-285.965 as follows:
- When pharmacists, insurance companies, or pharmaceutical
benefit management companies communicate directly with
physicians or patients regarding prescriptions, the reason
for the intervention should be clearly identified as being
either educational or economic in nature.
RESOLUTION 507 – PURITY, ACCURACY AND IDENTIFICATION OF
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT INGREDIENTS (Reaffirmation of policy
H-150.954 in lieu of Resolution 507.)
This is consistent with YPS policy as policy H-150.954 came
from our previous resolution.
RESOLUTION 523 – INSURANCE COMPANIES, PHARMACIES AND
PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS MANAGEMENT COMPANIES SHOULD NOT
REQUIRE A DIAGNOSIS IN ORDER FOR THE PATIENT’S PRESCRIPTION TO
BE FILLED (Reaffirmation of policy H-120.973 in lieu of
Resolution 523.)
The intent of the resolution was to provide relief to
physicians who are forced to divulge patient diagnosis in
order for prescriptions to be filled. Current AMA policy
addresses this issue.
RESOLUTION 527 – PHARMACEUTICAL EXPIRATION DATES (Adopted
as amended.)
This resolution concerns the issue of non-scientific drug
expiration dates. YPS policy is firmly in support of
increasing access to necessary pharmaceuticals for our
patients. Your delegation team testified in strong support of
this language:
Resolved, That the AMA urge that the Food and Drug
Administration, United States Pharmacopoeia, and the
pharmaceutical industry evaluate the issue of drug expiration
dates, the clinical consequences of setting such dates, and
the fiscal impact; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council on Scientific Affairs monitor
this activity and report back in A-01.
Reference Committee F (Board of
Trustees)
TASK FORCE ON MEMBERSHIP REPORT 1 – REPORT OF THE TASK
FORCE ON MEMBERSHIP – MEMBERSHIP PROCESSING (Recommendations
adopted and the remainder filed.)
We supported this report with regard to increasing the
options and efficiency for membership applications and dues
processing.
TASK FORCE ON MEMBERSHIP REPORT 2 – COMMUNICATION
(Recommendations adopted and the remainder filed.)
This report concluded that a significant change to a
member-first mentality and development of a comprehensive
strategic membership communication plan is necessary.
TASK FORCE ON MEMBERSHIP REPORT 3 – STRUCTURE
(Recommendation adopted and the remainder filed.)
This report called for a reference committee of the whole
to be convened at I-00 to discuss the multiple membership and
AMA transformation options available to our HOD.
JOINT REPORT OF CLRPD AND TASK FORCE ON MEMBERSHIP
(Recommendations adopted and the remainder filed.)
This report recommended that our AMA consolidate the
multiple groups currently considering membership and formed a
membership entity composed of nine members, one of whom will
be our own John Armstrong, MD. Bruce Scott, MD, the Young
Physician Trustee was also appointed to this group.
COMMISSION ON UNITY – A PROGRESS REPORT (Adopted as
amended.)
This report delineated the Commission’s first iteration of
an idealized design or a Core organization composed of member
physicians who become members of the Core through their
membership in participating organizations. Our delegate is a
member of this Commission. The amended recommendation is
included below:
Resolved, The AMA HOD calls on all Federation organizations
to work with the Commission on Unity by providing the
Commission with comments and suggestions on its design for a
system of participating organizations.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT 15 – SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES: REFERRED ITEMS (Adopted
as amended.)
We testified to combine NLDC with the Interim Meeting which
the Board had not recommended. This was not included in the
reference committee recommendations. The Report was amended
with regard to implementing an electronic method of tabulating
voting as soon as it is feasible.
COUNCIL ON LONG RANGE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT 1 –
ADDING AN EXTERNAL (NON-PHYSICIAN) MEMBER TO THE AMA’S BOARD
OF TRUSTEES (Adopted with substitute recommendation 2, amended
recommendation 4, amended recommendation 5, and addition of
recommendation 6.)
There was much discussion on this issue. The final vote was
to approve the public member, in a voting role (with the
exception of intra-Board elections), with reevaluation after 6
years.
RESOLUTION 612 ADVOCACY TRAINING (Adopted.)
This resolution asks our AMA and Federation members to
develop programs to enhance physician advocacy skills relating
to non-physician legislative and regulatory scope of practice
initiatives and quality of patient care concerns. Our YPS
believes strongly that scope of practice should not be
expanded and that young physicians should continue to receive
education on advocacy skills.
RESOLUTION 616 – INCREASE FUNDING FOR PRN (Adopted as
amended.)
Resolved, That the American Medical Association consider
whatever is legally possible and fiscally responsible to
support the continued viability of Physicians for Responsible
Negotiation (PRN).
We testified to continue support of PRN.
RESOLUTION 621 – PHYSICIAN TIME COMMITMENTS IN ORGANIZED
MEDICINE (Adopted.)
This was our resolution regarding consideration of reducing
the House meetings by one day each. The reference committee
recommended nonadoption; however, we extracted it and
testified again on the House floor regarding the importance of
this effort for young physicians and were supported by many
state and specialty organizations.
RESOLUTION 622 – COLLECTION OF E-MAIL ADDRESSES (Referred
to the Board of Trustees.)
This was our resolution regarding the collection and
maintenance of an e-mail database by the AMA as well as
formation of a national internet chat group. The reference
committee recommended nonadoption due to fiscal considerations
and concern over the confidentiality of such a database. We
extracted this on the House floor and urged referral to the
BOT due to the importance of this issue for membership
communication.
Reference Committee G (Medical
Practice/Facilities)
COUNCIL ON MEDICAL SERVICE REPORT 3 – HOSPITAL-BASED
PHYSICIAN CONTRACTING (Recommendations adopted as amended
and the remainder filed.)
Your delegation team worked to amend this report to include
information on the YPS contracting book "Contracts: What You
Need to Know."
RESOLUTION 701 – OPPOSITION TO FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO
PROVIDE CARE (Reaffirmed current policy in lieu of Resolution
701.)
The Rules and Credentials Committee recommended
reaffirmation of current policy. Your delegation team
extensively reviewed existing policy and concurred with the
Rules and Credentials Committee that the intent of Resolution
701 was conveyed in current policy. We also testified to this
issue in Reference Committee on Constitution and Bylaws
regarding resolution 1 and conveyed the intent of Resolution
701.
RESOLUTION 704 – AMA BECOME A RESOURCE ON HOW TO FILE CLASS
ACTION SUITS AGAINST MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS FOR DENIAL AND
DELAY OF PAYMENT OF CLAIMS (Adopted.)
This resolution calls for the AMA-BOT to urge the AMA/State
Medical Society Litigation Center to become a resource for
assisting state and local medical societies on how to file
class action suits against managed care organizations. YPS
policy condemns down-coding.
RESOLUTION 714 – PEER REVIEWER – ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY FROM
LAWSUITS; RESOLUTION 715 – PEER REVIEW REFORM (Substitute
Resolution 714 adopted.)
These resolutions sought to address possible abuses of the
peer review process and the substitute resolution asks the AMA
to investigate and report on the peer review process and the
possibility of implications for economic credentialing. YPS
policy is firmly against economic credentialing.
RESOLUTION 722 – MANDATORY BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR MEDICAID
PARTICIPATION (Substitute Resolution 722 adopted as
amended.)
This resolution addresses an action in New York that
deselected from participating in all Medicaid HMOs providers
who were not board-certified. YPS policy states that board
certification is not the sole measure of quality. Your
delegation team testified regarding YPS policy on this issue.
The reference committee crafted a substitute resolution to
reaffirm AMA policy in support of the YPS position and asked
the AMA to explore mechanisms to ensure continued patient
access to physicians and continuity of care, and to assist
physicians who have been excluded.
REFERENCE COMMITTEE H (HEALTH CARE
DATA/SYSTEMS)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT 2 – GUIDELINES FOR
PATIENT-PHYSICIAN ELECTRONIC MAIL (Adopted as Amended and the
remainder filed.)
This report was generated in response to a YPS resolution
from A-99. The report developed guidelines to aid physicians
in the appropriate use of electronic communication in the
delivery of health care to their patients. The report was
amended to strengthen the report regarding the disposition of
electronic communications in the medical record based on the
judgement of the physician.
RESOLUTION 804 – PROVISION OF INTERPRETING SERVICES FOR
NON-ENGLISH PROFICIENT PATIENTS (Not adopted.)
Testimony against this resolution revolved around concerns
about costs of adding interpretation services to the
outpatient setting. Non-adoption reflects current YPS
policy.
RESOLUTION 818 – USE OF RESTRAINTS IN NURSING HOMES;
RESOLUTION 825 – SECLUSION AND RESTRAINTS ONE-HOUR RULE
(Substitute Resolution 818 was adopted as amended.)
Resolved, That our American Medical Association continue to
work with national medical specialty societies, state medical
associations, and other interested groups in advocating for
the safety of our patients; and be it further
Resolved, That our American Medical Association continue to
oppose the implementation of the Health Care Financing
Administration (HCFA) Interim Final Rule that requires
face-to-face assessment of every patient within one-hour of
the initiation of seclusion and restraint for behavior
management; and be it further
Resolved, That our AMA develop evidence-based standards for
patient safety with regard to seclusion and
restraints.
This is consistent with YPS policy on this same issue.
The following election results are included for your
information:
- Nancy Nielsen, MD, PhD (Vice Speaker)
- Mohamed Kahn, MD (Council on Scientific Affairs)
- Patricia Turner, MD (Council on Scientific Affairs
Resident Member)
Congratulations to Dr. Kahn, a young physician who
participates in our Assembly!!!
Again, our sincere thanks for all of your hard work in
accomplishing the adoption of YPS issues and resolutions. We
know our success is directly attributable to all of you!
Melissa J. Garretson, MD, Delegate, Young Physicians
Section
A. Patrice Burgess, MD, Alternate Delegate, Young
Physicians Section | 
AMA
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2000 AMA-YPS Assembly Meeting 
