Aug. 1, 2005

    

 

IMAGING
• Anti-Imaging Resolution Soundly Defeated in Idaho
MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM
• House Passes Medical Liability Reform 
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
• Patient Safety Bill Signed into Law

LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY
• Bill Introduced to Revamp Physician Pay Formula
• House Adopts Measure on High-Risk Insurance Pools
• Senate Committee Takes Up Health IT
• Guidant Issues Voluntary Pacemaker Recall
• Policy Conference on Pacemakers, ICDs
IMAGING
Anti-Imaging Resolution Soundly Defeated in Idaho
The Idaho Medical Association (IMA) House of Delegates (HOD) soundly defeated a resolution in late July that would have committed the IMA to support state legislation limiting imaging procedures. Resolution 8, offered by the Idaho chapter of the American College of Radiology, was diametrically opposite to AMA Resolution 228, which was overwhelmingly approved by the AMA HOD in June. Prior to the Idaho HOD meeting, an e-mail survey by the IMA resulted in a 2-1 vote against the principles of radiology's resolution. Testimony in the reference committee strongly opposed Resolution 8, and its defeat followed logically. The ACC appreciates the efforts of all Idaho physicians who worked and voted against this resolution. Special thanks go to Joseph Abate, M.D., F.A.C.C., who was the first witness to speak against Resolution 8 in the reference committee.
MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM

House Vote Pending on Medical Liability Reform
On July 28, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 230 to 194 medical liability reform legislation (H.R. 5) that includes a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages. The legislation is identical to a measure passed by the House last year. Fourteen Democrats voted for the bill, and nine Republicans voted against. The Alliance of Specialty Medicine stressed in a statement that this issue is “not about doctors, lawyers, and insurance companies. It is about patients and their ability to continue to receive timely and consistent access to quality medical care.” The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain despite national polling data that shows solid public support for medical liability reform.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Patient Safety Bill Signed into Law
 President Bush signed into law July 29 long-awaited patient safety legislation. The law encourages voluntary reporting of medical errors to patient safety organizations and shields the data from use in medical malpractice cases. The law also establishes a national patient safety database to track and identify trends in medical mistakes. The bill was approved by voice vote in the Senate and then near-unanimously (428-3) by the House. The Alliance of Specialty Medicine said in a statement that “widespread sharing of best practices and information on adverse effects by medical professionals will go a long way toward ensuring the delivery of consistent, quality medical care to all patients.”
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY
Bill Introduced to Revamp Physician Pay Formula
 Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., chair of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, introduced legislation July 28 that would prevent a cut in physician payments in 2006 and require that payments to physicians in 2007 and 2008 be based on reporting of measures rather than the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula currently used to determine Medicare physician reimbursement rates. Starting in 2009, physicians would be paid based on their performance on quality standards. In a statement issued by the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, ACC President Pamela Douglas, M.D., F.A.C.C., said the bill “clearly recognizes that the SGR formula and value-based purchasing cannot co-exist and are in direct conflict with [one] another.” She noted that Rep. Johnson had sought significant input from the medical community, adding that “she needs to be commended for addressing the tough issues in Medicare in a fair and balanced manner.”
House Adopts Measure on High-Risk Insurance Pools
 The House adopted by voice vote July 27 a measure (H.R. 3204) to authorize $50 million in federal funding for operation of state high-risk health insurance pools in fiscal years 2005 through 2009. These pools offer insurance to people with preexisting, chronic illnesses or conditions who otherwise could not purchase health coverage. A Senate committee approved similar legislation in February.
Senate Committee Takes Up Health IT
 The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee has approved a bill designed to promote quality health care through the implementation of health information technology (HIT) systems. The measure would authorize $275 million in grants in 2006 and 2007 to help physicians and other providers put in place HIT. The measure approved by the committee combines two bills: one authored by Sens. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.; the other by Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.  
Guidant Issues Voluntary Pacemaker Recall
 The Food and Drug Administration notified physicians and patients of a voluntary recall of certain pacemakers manufactured by Guidant Corporation. Guidant initiated the recall on July 18 because of a defect that can cause the devices to malfunction without warning, potentially resulting in loss of consciousness — and possibly even heart failure and death. Click here for more information.
Policy Conference on Pacemakers, ICDs
 The Heart Rhythm Society, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration, is convening a conference Sept. 16 on pacemaker and ICD performance. The conference aims to bring together cardiac care professionals, government agencies, medical device manufacturers, patient advocacy groups and the general public to examine the current process for medical device recalls and to discuss strategies for improving the system. 
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