Executive Council Minutes
Minutes of the April 20, 2004 Executive Council Meeting
PRESENT: Doctors: A. Al-Shash, T. Becker, J. Bice, S. Forney, R. Hanson, R. Hartley, K. Reed, and R. Savage. Also present was K. Lyman, Executive Director
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Ahmad Al-Shash, M.D., President.
FINANCIAL REPORT: The financial report for March was reviewed and approved as submitted.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Dr. Al-Shash reported that he attended the AMA Advocacy Conference in Washington, D. C. The programs were excellent with presentations from the new Director of CMS and FDA. He and Kathie Lyman also attended meetings with the Iowa Congressional delegation.
Dr. Al-Shash also attended a meeting for County Medical Society Presidents with the AMA leadership. The meeting included topics on membership, how other county medical society’s operate and about issues that pertain to counties working with the AMA on Advocacy.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT: The Liability Reform bill has passed the Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. The PCMS faxed each PCMS members asking that they contact the Governor and encourage him to sign this much needed bill. However, it is anticipated that the Governor will veto the bill.
POLK COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER POSITION: Dr. Savage reported that he and Kathie Lyman have been attending the interviews of the candidates for the Polk County Medical Examiners position. They have four candidates that will be interviewed through the end of May. All are forensic pathologists.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Kathie Lyman read a letter that has been sent to Wellmark regarding the PCMS and Wellmark agreement on health insurance.
The Health Access Partnership has received letters of concern from Broadlawns Medical Center, the Iowa Hospital Association and a meeting has been set for Dr. Steve Eckstat to meet regarding Free Iowa clinics. Discussion was held and it was agreed that the letters raised some important questions that need to be resolved. Dr. Mark Purtle and Kathie Lyman will attend the next meeting of HAP and keep the Executive Council updated on the activities of HAP.
IBME has drafted Administrative Rules, notice of intended action, on criminal checks for new applications to the state. After careful review of the proposed rules it was agreed that a letter of concern should be sent to the IBME reiterating the concerns the PCMS had expressed last year when this issue was first introduced.
Dues are still outstanding for some doctors. The board discussed the importance of each doctor belonging to their own local professional medical organization. It was pointed out that through the PCMS advocacy efforts the initial draft legislation on medical liability reform was secured by the PCMS lobbyist.
The many other benefits of membership besides advocacy were discussed. The board members agreed to assist by working within their own group to secure 2004 dues.
The PCMS has received a complaint from several physicians regarding the fact that a botox center is operational in the Valley West Mall, with the medical director living in another part of Iowa. Injections are being given by nurses with no doctor on the premise. Great concern was expressed for the safety of the patients. It was agreed that a letter of concern for patient safety will be sent to the IBME.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Minutes of the May 18, 2004 Executive Council Meeting
PRESENT Doctors: A. Al-Shash, T. Becker, S. Forney, R. Hanson, R. Hartley, J. Hendricks, C. Mahoney, M. Purtle, K. Reed, and R. Savage. Also present was K. Lyman, Executive Director.
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Ahmad Al-Shash, M.D., President.
FINANCIAL REPORT The financial report for April was presented, discussed and approved as submitted.
GEVITY INSURANCE PRODUCT Phil Tissue presented an insurance product through Gevity. This is a national company that offers insurance as part of a national group to cut down on the pricing. They do not exclude membership of any member nor allow for pre-existing conditions to participate. Gevity also provides human resources, payroll, pension, and other services to participants. An in-depth discussion was held about this product and the need to have insurance that is affordable. It was agreed to further study this product.
ALLIANCE REPORT The Alliance will have their newsletter printed courtesy of the Iowa Clinics. The Pulsebeat had previously been printed by Broadlawns.
POLK COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER Dr. Savage reported that the interviews for the Polk County Medical Examiner continue with three applicants already interviewed. One additional candidate will be interviewed prior to making a decision.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT A letter had been sent to Wellmark from the Executive Committee regarding our working relationship in offering their health insurance and the cost we incur. The PCMS has offered Wellmark products for 43 years. A letter was received from John Forysthe stating they value the relationship and will look for ways to work with the PCMS on funding issues.
The Iowa Board of Medical Examiners has requested that the membership be reminded that physicians are not to authorize pharmacists to administer immunizations to children either by protocol or prescription.
The IBME stated that through a law with the federal government they could initiate FBI background checks on all new physicians applying for an Iowa license without going to the legislature. They are in the process of drafting the rules for this new process.
The Physician Assistants are asking for the administrative rules to be changed to allow them to have ob and surgical privileges when this may not be the training and specialty of their supervising physician. The PCMS has written concerns to the Administrative Rules Committee, will present comments at their meeting on PA’s, and has also met with the Governor’s legal counsel. The Administrative Rules Committee has delayed action until August to further study the concerns and asked that the groups with issues meet to try and work them out prior to the meeting.
The Governor has assembled a group to meet on the broad issue of access to quality care in Iowa. However, although the group does have attorneys there are no physicians on the committee. The PCMS has written a letter to the Governor asking that a practicing physician be added to the group if there is to be meaningful outcomes.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
