March 20, 2006

AMA Survey Says Medicare Cuts Will Hurt Seniors
Editor's Column: High Technology, Low Reality
Student's Act of Kindness Raises $10,000 For Local Health Facility
County Cuts Mental Health Jobs
Bill Boosts Electronic Medical Records
Maternal Health Conference
Area Physician Pens Heart-Pounder
Searching For Authors
Executive Director's Column: Membership -- Together We Are Stronger
Women Physician Conference
MSMS Leaderhip Summit

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AMA Survey Says Medicare Cuts Will Hurt Seniors
Doctors Urge Lawmakers Not To Trim

Drastic cuts in Medicare payments to physicians will harm seniors' access to care, according to Amercian Medical Association survey results released March 16. The results came while AMA physicians met in the nation's capitol to urge lawmakers to stop the cuts and set Medicare payments that keep up with the cost of providing care.

"Nearly half, 45 percent, of the physicians surveyed by the AMA say next year's Medicare cut will force them to either decrease or stop seeing new Medicare patients," said AMA President J. Edward Hill, MD.
"Physicians want to treat seniors, but Medicare cuts are forcing physicians to make difficult practice decisions."

The 2007 Medicare payment cut of approximately 5 percent is just the tip of the iceberg, with nine years of cuts totaling 34 percent now projected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While payments plummet, practice costs will increase 22 percent, according to the government's own conservative estimate.

"Medicare payments have not kept up with practice costs for years, and nine years of cuts are sure to make matters worse," said Dr. Hill. "The cuts come as the first wave of baby boomers begin to enter Medicare in five years. By the time the full force of the cuts takes effect in 2015,
67 percent of physicians say they will be forced to decrease or stop taking new Medicare patients."

The AMA survey foretells more bad news for patients as the health care community works for quality improvements. Over nine years of cuts, 73 percent of physicians will defer purchase of new medical equipment and
65 percent will defer purchase of new information technology. Next year alone, half of the physicians surveyed will defer purchases of information technology.

"As we work to improve quality, the large gap between Medicare payments and practice costs is a huge barrier to physician investment in technology used to improve quality," said Dr. Hill. "If we want physicians to make investments to improve quality, Congress must ensure that payments keep up with practice costs."

"The current flawed Medicare physician payment system places seniors'
access to care at risk year after year by tying payments to the gross domestic product, instead of the health care needs of seniors," said Dr. Hill.

Editor's Column:
High Technology, Low Reality

BY JOSEPH WEISS, MD
The Michigan State Medical Society backs state House Bill 5336 titled: Health Information Technology. The name alone likely will gain the goodwill of any forward thinking physician. You can envision coded lines of health information connected to rows of microchips and stacks of memory sticks. However, House Bill 5336 represents a feature of modernity we should not readily accept.

The bill would institute a 13-member commission to “create a community-based information network.” This commission is to meet four times a year and: “create effective communication among health care providers, facilities, and other health care entities.” The commission is to institute: “efficiencies in health care, provide reliable information to consumers and purchasers on the quality and cost effectiveness of health care plans, and throughout these efforts to ensure confidentiality of health care information.”

The legislation mandates that this 13-member commission will consist of two members of state government, a representative from Blue Cross Blue Shield, one from the state Chamber of Commerce, one from each of the state medical schools; five other institutions are allotted a single member; for example, the Michigan Pharmacists Association and the Michigan Association of Health Plans. Community physicians have virtually no representation as the legislation allots one position for a Michigan State Medical Society representative. The commission members receive no compensation and support staff is to come from existing employees of the state’s Department of Community Health.

The Health Information Technology Commission will go nowhere. First, the pace of technology moves so rapidly, that a group meeting but four times a year has no way to keep up with changing innovation and need. Second, the community physician is largely unrepresented, and third, the problem of connectivity cannot be resolved by this group. Each institution will want its own system to prevail for reasons of profit and convenience.

An urgent need exists for a state technology network in which each computer can speak to all other computers. Only federal intervention can force that change. State House Bill 5336 comes with good intentions but it will waste medical manpower and with its halting and out of pace recommendations, create further obstacles to reform.

We should withhold support for this bill.

Student's Act Of Kindness Raises $10,000 For Local Health Facility

Kathleen Tobias believes one person can make a difference. The University of Michigan student is a volunteer for Random Acts of Kindness (RAK), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting acts of kindness and generosity. Thanks to Tobias and RAK, she presented a check for $10,000 to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan's (RIM) Pioneers for Peace Program during a luncheon March 20 at RIM, located at 261 Mack, Detroit, MI.

With the help of her friends and business owners in Ann Arbor, Tobias held a fundraiser at Touchdowns Café Jan. 19. The event raised $4,700. RAK donated another $5,300 to support her efforts. The funds will be donated to RIM's Pioneer's For Peace program.

"We wanted to donate the money to an organization that was really making a difference in the community. Through my work with Random Acts of Kindness, I had met the Pioneers and was really impressed with their mission," said Tobias.

Pioneers for Peace (PFP) is a violence prevention and awareness program comprised of a group of former RIM patients who have sustained disabling injuries as a result of gun violence. Instead of viewing their disabilities as tragedies, they see them as opportunities to make a difference by becoming advocates for violence prevention.

When the PFP was established nine years ago, it conducted 44 presentations and reached more than 4,000 community members. In 2005, the Pioneers reached more than 25,000 at-risk youth with their anti-violence message. They have developed community partnerships with groups ranging from the Detroit Public Schools and the mayor's office to Wayne State University and the Million Mom March organization.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK), is a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting quiet acts of kindness and generosity in our community, while supporting the good deeds of others. RAK promotes and recognizes everyday contributions by individuals that build hope and create opportunity to nurture our community. RAK was founded in Michigan in
2004 by Timothy Codd, an accomplished businessman and philanthropist.

Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan is one of the nation's largest hospitals specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. RIM is one of nine hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC).

County Cuts Mental Health Jobs

The Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency cut 23 jobs in mid February and was preparing to cut an additional 13, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.

The agency also will not fill 51 vacant positions, although some of those laid off will be reassigned to other county government jobs at similar pay rates, the Free Press reported.

The agency employed about 200 before the layoffs, which come on the heels of a state mandate that permits all mental health agencies to spend a maximum of 7.25 percent of their budgets on administration. The Free Press reported that the Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency spends about 12 percent of its budget on administration. The employee cuts will save the agency about $1 million, Edith Killins, chief operating officer, told the newspaper.

Bill Boosts Electronic Medical Records

Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) recently introduced a bill in Congress that would promote the use of electronic medical records in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which provides insurance coverage to almost 8 million government workers and their families.

Porter told the Washington Post that the bill would allow health insurance companies that participate in the federal insurance plan to access the program's financial reserves and divert a small percentage to pay for new technology. Porter told the Post that those funds would cover start-up costs without creating an increase in premiums.

The proposed system would provide a personal health record, which would be protected by a personal identification number, Porter told the newspaper. If beneficiaries are traveling and become ill, their health information would be available to doctors and hospital emergency rooms.

Porter told the Post that doctors would be encouraged to invest in technology through a trust fund that would permit private groups to make donations and would issue grants to help doctors implement electronic records systems. The fund would be exempt from anti-kickback laws.

45th Annual Conference On Maternal & Perinatal Health:
Maternal & Perinatal Care: A Continuum

March 23, 2006
The Inn At St. John's, Plymouth

The Michigan State Medical Society Foundation Maternal and Perinatal Health Conference Planning Committee (chaired by WCMSSM President Federico Mariona, MD) worked with representatives of hospital departments, specialty societies and medical schools to develop this statewide conference. The purpose of the conference is to provide quality continuing medical education to physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in Michigan. The conference is intended for physicians of all specialties, nurses and others who are engaged in health care, with special emphasis on improving care for mothers and their children.

The conference fee is $140 for MSMS members and $185 for non-members and provides six Category I CME credits. To register online, visit http://msmsnet.msms.org/general/ or e-mail abatten@msms.org. You can also call the registrar at (517) 336-7581.

Area Physician Pens Heart-Pounder

Dr. J.C. DiMusto, MD has recently published "Cat Purple in Grosse Pointe" a medical thriller mixing professional experiences, ancient folktales and more weaved into a tale of heart pounding suspense and authentic detail. It can be obtained by calling toll free (877) 289-2665 or online at www.buybooksontheweb.com

Dr DiMusto is a former President of the Macomb County Medical Society.

Searching For Authors

If you are a WCMSSM member who has written a book on anything (wines, hunting, fiction, non-fiction, medicine) please let us know. We can help you publicize your work. Contact us at info@wcmssm.org

Executive Director's Column:
Membership -- Together We Are Stronger

Membership, as you know is our focus, this month. Some of our Societies'
leaders will be visiting non-members next week to encourage their membership in WCMSSM, MSMS and AMA. For those who think that society membership is of no value to them, I would sharply differ. Just in the past week, we have visited Washington, DC, lobbying for a an alternative to Medicare's SGR formula and an increase in physician reimbursement for 2007, met locally with Congressman Levin to discuss the proposed budget cuts for Medicaid and received news of the success in the OB/GYN lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan that we supported. What does that mean to the member? For those of you in practice, it could be dollars and cents now and into the future. It is only through the dues of our members that we can continue these efforts along with the many others that your societies support. Remember if you know a colleague who is not a member, hand him/her an application. You will find it in the Detroit Medical News or direct him/her to our Web site - http://www.wcmssm.org. Together - specialty societies, the AMA, MSMS and WCMSSM - we are stronger.

MSMS Women Physicians Conference Offers Unique Experience
REFERENCE THIS ARTICLE AND ATTEND HALF PRICE!!!

The MSMS Foundation is proud to announce the 2006 Conference for Women Physicians, an event focused on the needs and interests unique to women physicians. The event will take place on Saturday, March 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Somerset Inn in Troy. Designed by a planning committee of women physicians, residents and medical students, the conference will feature an impressive line-up of thought-provoking, inspirational speakers with various areas of expertise. Presentations and breakout sessions will include
• Preserving the Beauty of the Female Heart
• Advances in Breast Cancer
• Improve Your Communication Style
• Better Health and Nutrition for Women
• Yoga: Balance of Body, Mind and Spirit
• Strategies for Efficient and Effective Practice Management
• Financial Planning for the Woman Physician (Basic and Advanced)
• Communication Barriers: Clinical Case Presentations

A maximum of five credits of Category I CME credit may be earned. Childcare is available with advance arrangements. A Friday, pre-conference dinner also is available. For more information, visit www.msms.org/eo/index.html or contact Melinda Sandford at (517) 336-7575. To register, visit http://msmsnet.msms.org/general/ or contact the MSMS Registrar at (517) 336-7581 or abatten@msms.org.

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MSMS Leadership Summit

The 3rd annual MSMS Leadership Summit - scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, in Lansing - will feature timely topics and speakers, as well as the opportunity for physicians to earn six hours of Category I CME credit. This year's summit, titled "Current Directions and Emerging Views in Health Care," will offer participants the opportunity to hear from a number of Michigan's key leaders in health care and business, including Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos. Other topics and speakers include the following:

National Health Care Reform
Christopher Conover, PhD, assistant research professor of Public Policy Studies, Duke University

Political Leadership in Michigan
Moderator: Kenneth J. Edwards, Vice Chair, MSMS Board of Directors Mike Cox, Michigan Attorney General Rep. Kevin Elsenhiemer (R-105th District), Chairman of Tort Reform Committee Rep. Gary Newell (R-87th District), Vice Chair, Health Policy Committee, Special Committee on Medicaid Reform and Innovation and Health and Information Technology Subcommittee Jan Whitehouse, President, CyberMichigan

Future of Health Care in Michigan
Dick DeVos, Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate, President, Alticor

Perspectives from Health Plan CEOs
Moderator: Rose M. Ramirez, MD, House Vice Speaker, MSMS Board of Directors Kimberly Horn, President and CEO, Priority Health Roman T. Kulich, President and CEO, Molina Healthcare Thomas L. Simmer, MD, Vice President and Medical Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan William E. Moeller, President and CEO United Healthcare Jeff L. Connolly, CPA, President and CEO, PPOM

Lunch Panel - The Future of Medicine: Leading the Way to a Better Health Care System
Moderator: John M. MacKeigan, MD, MSMS Immediate Past President, MSMS Board of Directors Paul Harkaway, MD, President, Huron Valley Physician Association James D. Grant, MD, Vice Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, William Beaumont Hospital Martha Gray, MD, President and CEO, Partners in Internal Medicine, PC & Member Internal Medicine Staff, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital David Share, MD, MPH, Medical Director, The Corner Health Center & Clinical Director, Center for Health Quality and Evaluative Studies, BCBSM

Health Care Outlooks from the Big Three
Moderator: Alan M. Mindlin, MD, MSMS President Joe W. Laymon, Vice President Corporate Human Resources, Ford Motor Company Kate Kohn-Parrott, Director, Integrated Health Care and Disability, Chrysler Group Joe Fortuna, MD, Medical Director Delphi Corporation

State of Michigan's Economy
Moderator: Paul Farr, MD, MSMS President-elect, MSMS Board of Directors Paul W. Brand, President, REAL Health Organization Ed Wolking, Jr., CCE, Executive Vice President, Detroit Regional Chamber James C. Epolito, President and CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Updates from Michigan Medical Schools
Moderator: Michael A. Sandler, MD, Chair, MSMS Board of Directors Marsha D. Rappley, MD, Acting Dean, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Robert M. Mentzer, Jr., MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine John E. Billi, MD, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, University of Michigan Medical School

Cost of registration is $140 for MSMS and MMGMA members, $185 for non-members. For more information, contact Melinda Sandford at MSMS at 517-336-7575 or msandford@msms.org. To register, visit www.msms.org/eo/courseinfo/courseinfo.asp or contact the MSMS Registrar at 517-336-7584 or abatten@msms.org .

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