ACS delegation influences AMA policy at HOD meeting

Health system

• Council on Medical Service Report 6, Expansion of U.S. Veterans’ Health Care Choices, was adopted with an amendment offered by the ACS delegation. The AMA will encourage the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to engage with VHA physicians to explore and develop solutions to improve the health care choices of veterans. The AMA also will continue to support efforts to improve the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) and make it permanent, advocate for new funding to support expansion of the VCP, and encourage the acceleration of interoperability of electronic personal and health records and the exchange of medical records between VHA and non-VHA physicians.

• Substitute Resolution 115, Out-of-Network Care, combined four resolutions on the subject of greatest interest in the Reference Committee A hearing—surprise (unanticipated) billing for out-of-network care. It was adopted with eight AMA principles regarding unanticipated out-of-network care and AMA development of model state legislation addressing the coverage of and payment for unexpected unanticipated out-of-network care.

Public health

• Resolution 419, Improving Physicians’ Ability to Discuss Firearm Safety, was adopted with minor amendments. As a result, the AMA is working with appropriate stakeholders to develop state-specific guidance for physicians on how to counsel patients to reduce their risk for firearm-related injury or death by suicide, including guidance on when and how to ask sensitive questions about firearm ownership, access, and use; and clarification on the circumstances under which physicians are permitted or may be required to disclose the content of such conversations to family members, law enforcement, or other third parties.

Medical practice

• Substitute Resolution 706, Concurrent and Overlapping Surgery, was adopted. The AMA will work with interested national medical specialty societies on issues related to concurrent and overlapping surgery.

AMA elections

The June meeting is when AMA officers, trustees, and councilors are elected. Barbara McAneny, MD, an oncologist from New Mexico, was elected AMA president-elect. Three ACS-endorsed candidates were successful in their bids to serve on the Council on Medical Education. Liana Puscas, MD, MHS, FACS, associate professor of surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, and Luke Selby, MD, a general surgery resident, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, were reelected; Krystal Tomei, MD, assistant professor of neurosurgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, was elected.

Surgical Caucus

The Surgical Caucus hosted a well-attended educational session, Cultivating and Protecting Your Digital Presence: Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media. Speakers included Deanna Attai, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon and assistant clinical professor of surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and Ravi Goel, MD, an ophthalmologist in private practice in Cherry Hill, NJ, and delegate from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Both presentations emphasized that surgeons need to manage their online reputation in practice reviews and other web content. Drs. Attai and Goel provided constructive ideas for personal and professional branding through social media, as well as practical ways for surgeons to build and protect their social media reputation. Both presentations are available on the Surgical Caucus web page at facs.org/advocacy/ama-house-of-delegates/surgical-caucus.

The ACS delegation successfully put forth the College’s priorities at the June AMA HOD meeting. The delegation is now working with the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, the Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and other committees to develop next steps in shaping AMA policy consistent with College principles.

The next AMA meeting is the Interim Meeting in Honolulu, HI, November 11–14. The College’s delegation welcomes input from Fellows regarding issues of importance to surgeons. Comments and questions should be directed to jsutton@facs.org.

ACS delegation at the AMA HOD

John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), acute care surgery, Ocala, FL

Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Vice-Chair, ACS Board of Regents

Naveen F. Sangji, MD, (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA

Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; Chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

Dr. Armstrong is affiliate associate professor of surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, and former Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health (2012–2016). He is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Health Policy and Advocacy Group, and Past-Chair, ACS Professional Association political action committee (ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC).

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy.