Executive Council Minutes

Minutes of the March 29, 2005 Executive Council Meeting

PRESENT   Doctors: T. Becker, A. Al-Shash, P. Colletier, D. Jensen, S. Forney,  R. Hanson, R. Hartley, J. Hendricks, C. Mahoney, K. Reed, and R. Savage. Also present, K. Lyman, Executive Director.

CALL TO ORDER   The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Thomas Becker, M.D., President.

FINANCIAL REPORT   The financial report for February and March 2005 was reviewed and approved as submitted.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT   Dr. Becker reported on the AMA Advocacy meeting that he, Dr. Savage, Dr. Reed and K. Lyman attended. The leaders of Congress, HHS and CMS, gave presentations and discussed a need to permanently fix the Medicare formula. The PCMS and IMS group also met with the Iowa Congressional Delegation. Senator Charles Grassley nominated by the PCMS won the prestigious AMA top award for a congressman, and was presented the award at the Advocacy banquet.

IMS ANNUAL MEETING   The PCMS does not have enough delegates for the IMS House of Delegates meeting in April. Kathie met with the larger medical groups seeking PCMS delegates and got a few more. However, the PCMS members do not want to spend one of the first nice weekends in April away from their families to attend this meeting. It was suggested that we speak with our IMS District Director and perhaps have him recommend that the meeting be moved to a month when the weather is not as nice.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT  The Iowa Board of Medical Examiners has drafted a policy statement on Needle EMG’s stating that only a medical doctor should perform these tests. 

The PCMS has been notified that the Polk County Health Department Director position is open. Dr. Carolyn Beverly has resigned. The Board of Supervisors is seeking a person with a master’s degree in public health, and would be open to hiring a non-physician. The PCMS discussed with Broadlawns Hospital Administrator whether they would be interested in fulfilling this position in the interim and perhaps long term. Susan Hunsaker, Administrator of Broadlawns stated that she had sent a letter offering her services to the Polk County Board of Supervisors. She received a letter declining their services based on issues unrelated to the services that Broadlawns could offer. Confidential letters were reviewed between both entities and discussion was held. It was decided that the PCMS should contact the Board of Supervisors to share our concern for having a Medical Director over the medical protocol, nurses and PA’s that work for the Polk County Health Department.

A report was distributed from Dr. John Nanson who is representing the Polk County Medical Society on the Advisory Committee for the Polk County Jail. The action taken was reviewed. Dr. Nanson will serve until he leaves town in the summer.  It was suggested that he then be replaced by either Dr. Timothy Peterson or Dr. Denny Walter who both have experience working with people from the jail.

The Executive Committee meetings for April, May, and September fall on dates where other events are scheduled. It was agreed that the PCMS will meet on April 19, May 10, and September 13^th.

Washington D. C. Fly-In is scheduled for September 20^th and 21^st.  The Washington Court Hotel has been secured for the rooms on Capitol Hill. Meetings with the Iowa Congressional Delegation will be scheduled. 

HF722 is a bill that would allow for an internet based electronic data repository.  The bill was reviewed and the members felt strongly that this bill should not pass as there were a great many concerns for patient privacy, as well as many other issues.  It was agree the PCMS lobbyist would be directed to oppose the bill and work towards defeating it.  

The PCMS will have 34 participants at the Miss Saigon play at the Civic Center April 20^th. Dr. Craig Mahoney suggested a sponsor for the event.

ADJOURNMENT   The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. 

 

Minutes of the April 19, 2005 Executive Council Meeting

PRESENT   Doctors: T. Becker, A. Al-Shash, S. Eckstat, R. Hanson, R. Hartley, J. Hendricks, D. Jensen, C. Mahoney, K. Reed, and R. Savage.  Also present was K.Concannon, Director of Iowa Department of Human Services, F. Severino, PCMS Lobbyist and K. Lyman, Executive Director.

CALL TO ORDER   The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Thomas Becker, M.D., President.

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES   Kevin Concannon, Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services was present to review HF 841. The Iowacare Medicaid Reform Act, HF 841 deals with medical assistance program, providing appropriations, expanding Medicaid, providing effective dates, and providing for retroactive applicability. An in-depth discussion was held on how this bill would affect Broadlawns Hospital and the population they currently serve.  Issues were raised including concern that of the top 30 DRG’s for Broadlawns 15 are not covered in the bill. Mr. Concannon stated that Broadlawns would be guaranteed to receive $2 million more than it currently receives.  He also pledged to work through the issues raised by the PCMS Executive Council with Broadlawns prior to the bill passing. 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT   Dr. Becker reported that the Iowa Medical Society House of Delegates meeting was held. Polk County Medical Society submitted two resolutions. The first resolution was passed that deals with forming a physician tax exempt Professional Liability Trust Fund. The Iowa Medical Society encourage local representatives to support this national effort to amend any regulatory or statutory laws to be able to provide for the creation of the Professional Liability Trust concept and if passed forwarded onto the AMA. The second resolution was referred to the IMS Board to deal with. The resolution asked that IMS communicate more effectively with counties and notify staffed counties of meetings where group managers are invited or where IMS is providing a seminar in their town.

Dr. Becker gave an update on HF 722. This bill would allow for an electronic drug data base via the internet that would track all providers prescriptions written and all consumers prescriptions received. The PCMS has grave concerns regarding patient confidentiality as well as the under-funding for an ongoing drug data repository. The purpose of the bill was to identify drug users and abusers. However, in the bill there was no ability or funds to refer abusers to treatment or to track pseudoephedrine. The PCMS Executive Council and Legislative Committee will continue to oppose the bill. It is hoped that over the next year the valid concerns the PCMS has for physician and patient protection can be addressed to all the parties concerned.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT   The PCMS has received a letter of complaint about a House Call response. PCMS members write responses to questions posed by the public. The House Call response was a matter of opinion by the physician and as such, the PCMS will write a response to that effect. 

The PCMS has been notified that the Polk County Health Department Director position is open. Kathie Lyman, at the direction of the Executive Council met with some of the Polk County Board of Supervisors regarding the need to have a medical director for medical responsibilities in the Polk County Health Department. There are currently four candidates two who are physicians. If a non physician is selected, the Polk County Board of Supervisors will contract with a Medical Director for all medical issues and supervision of the PA’s. 

January 18, 2006 has been selected for the PCMS Annual Meeting Gala. A guest speaker is being secured at this time. September 20^th and 21^st is the Washington, DC Fly-In.  Meetings have been set up with our Iowa Congressional Delegation.

Dr. Arnie Balanoff, Medical Director of CMS Regional Office contacted PCMS to coordinate a meeting in Des Moines with doctors, their staff, and medical associations to discuss any Medicare issues or concerns. PCMS has coordinated the meeting which will be held on May 19^th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

AMA distributed a preview of the CMS physician update to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. A copy was distributed and the information will be placed in the next issue of the Bulletin.

Kathie Lyman reviewed the actions taken as the Iowa Board of Medical Examiners meeting as well as a copy of their draft of Notice of Intended Action regarding Permanent Physician Licensure and Resident, Special and Temporary Physician Licensure.

PCMS reviewed an update from the Polk County Jail Health Committee.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has identified the 2006 Medicare physician payment update. Medicare payment cuts are           projected to go up 26% by 2011. Discussion was held and permanently fixing the Medicare formula will be a priority for the PCMS at the September Washington, DC, Fly-In.

PCMS Foundation received a thank you letter from Des Moines University for their contribution for a medical scholarship.

ADJOURNMENT  The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.