Allegheny County Medical Society
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Recent Position Statements
ACMS Supports State-wide Smoking BanThe members of the Allegheny County Medical Society applaud the leadership of the Pennsylvania Senate's Appropriations Committee for unanimously approving Senate Bill 246, which would ban smoking in all workplaces. The ACMS offers our full support and assistance in helping to make public places in Pennsylvania smoke free.
Cover All ChildrenThe Allegheny County Medical Society commends Governor Rendell on receiving final approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), making health care coverage available to all uninsured children and teens, regardless of family income.
The Mighty MergerAs patient advocates, the physicians of the Allegheny County Medical Society are closely scrutinizing the proposed merger of Pittsburgh-based Highmark and Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross.
ACMS Supports Proposed Medical Student Loan PlanThe Allegheny County Medical Society supports state representative Josh Shapiro's (D, Dist. 153, Montgomery County) proposed medical school loan forgiveness program (HB 1093) in an effort to remedy the physician shortage problem in Pennsylvania and its effects on public health in our commonwealth.
ACMS Supports PA Motorcycle Helmet LawThe Allegheny County Medical Society urges Pennsylvania legislators to support state representative Dan Frankel (D, Allegheny County, District 23) in his effort to reverse the 2003 law that made helmet use optional for motorcyclists in Pennsylvania.
Easing the Inevitable—Improving End-of-Life CareThe recommendations of the Task Force for Quality at the End of Life to Governor Ed Rendell on improving end-of-life care are significant—and extensive with 160 enumerated points. As a body of physicians, the Allegheny County Medical Society recognizes that many health care providers are untrained in discussing end-of-life issues with patients and their families. The ACMS has and will continue to support efforts to provide education in palliative and terminal care to physicians, nurses, and allied health providers.
Standardization Needed for Physician Pay for Performance PlansThe "pay for performance" trend is sweeping over the practice of medicine. Pay for performance (PFP or P4P) is a method of linking a physician's reimbursement from health insurers and Medicare to measure of individual, group or organizational performance, based on an appraisal system. It is an incentive program that provides monetary bonuses to participating physicians who achieve or attain specific quality or efficiency benchmarks or standards established by the program. This type of bonus incentive scheme is based on the context that work output, determined by a measuring system characterized by complex goals, varies according to effort and that the prospect of increased pay will motivate improved performance. The concept behind this trend is that as quality improves, healthcare costs will decrease.
Gifts from Pharmaceutical Industry to PhysiciansRecent criticism regarding the relationship between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry does a disservice to the majority of physicians who conduct themselves ethically and spend countless hours treating and caring for patients.
Health of the CommonwealthThe Allegheny County Medical Society supports the spirit of Governor Rendell's "Prescription for Pennsylvania," which is designed to increase access to competent, quality health care. As a body of physicians, the ACMS advocates for the best interests of all patients and encourages reforms to improve the quality, safety, and affordability of medical treatment in our commonwealth. Therefore, in navigating the governor's extensive proposal, we do so with patient care as our compass.
ACMS Reminds Patients: Quick Care is not Primary CareIn our area and across the country, private companies are opening and managing health clinics in retail stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, Eckerd, Rite Aid, CVS and in grocery stores. With names like Family Express Care, Minute Clinic and FastCare, these venues promote a speedy visit with a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant for a limited list of basic medical services. Locally, Take Care Health Systems L.L.C. has opened health clinics in area Eckerd drug stores.
713 Ridge Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 412-321-5030 FAX 412-321-5323 | ||