Allegheny County Medical Society
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Position Statements
Retail Based ClinicsIn our area and across the country, private companies are opening and managing health clinics in retail stores and grocery stores. These venues promote a speedy visit with a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant for a limited list of basic medical services as an alternative to physician offices or hospital emergency departments.
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.
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.
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.
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 -are 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..
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 Supports Proposed Medical Student Loan PlanThe Allegheny County Medical Society supports proposed medical school loan forgiveness legislation in an effort to remedy the physician shortage problem in Pennsylvania and its effects on public health in our commonwealth.
ACMS Supports State-wide Smoking BanThe members of the Allegheny County Medical Society support the passage of a statewide workplace smoking ban. The ACMS offers full support and assistance in helping to make public places in Pennsylvania smoke free.
Health Care ReformHealth Care Reform is a critical issue facing our country. President Obama has correctly identified health care reform as a priority for our time that must be successfully addressed. Providing medical and health care is a complex matter, and is vital that we have thoughtful, well-informed consideration of the challenges involved in re-designing a system of care to meet the needs of our citizens. Well-intentioned but poorly constructed policy decisions made to address short term needs could have serious consequences for patients and the future of medical care in our country.
HOSPITAL CREDENTIALING AS A REQUIRMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH PLANSSome health insurance plans currently require hospital medical staff privileges in order for physicians to participate in their insurance plans. Some physicians are unable to obtain hospital privileges in certain hospitals and are thus prevented from participating in certain health plans, and some hospitals and primary care physicians are utilizing hospitalists and hospital-employed specialists to care for patients admitted to their institutions.
Ethical Responsibilities in Change in Affiliation of Medical Practices or Separation of EmploymentContinuity of patient care and choice of physician are of utmost importance when there is a change in ownership or affiliation of medical practice with a hospital or in separation of physicians from employment.
Whistleblower PolicyThis Whistleblower Policy of the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS): (1) encourages staff and volunteers to come forward with credible information on illegal practices or serious violations of adopted policies of the ACMS; (2) specifies that the ACMS will protect the person from retaliation; and (3) identifies where such information can be reported.
Joint Venture PolicyThis Joint Venture Policy of the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS) requires that the ACMS evaluate its participation in joint venture arrangements under Federal tax law and take steps to safeguard the ACMS exempt status with respect to such arrangements. It applies to any joint ownership or contractual arrangement through which there is an agreement to jointly undertake a specific business enterprise, investment, or exempt-purpose activity as further defined in this policy.
PROVIDING CONTINUED INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MAINTENANCE MEDICATIONSPatients on long-term maintenance medications for chronic medical conditions are frequently forced to change medications with which they have been successfully treated when insurers change the drug formulary or the patients themselves change to a new insurance company.
LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR VOLUNTEER PHYSICIANSThe Allegheny County Medical Society recognizes that many physicians provide medical expertise and care as volunteers in community-based clinics; and that there are other physicians who would volunteer in such clinics but are concerned about exposure to professional liability.
713 Ridge Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 412-321-5030 FAX 412-321-5323 | ||