American Medical Association Meeting To Shape National Advocacy Agenda, Interim Meeting Starts November 8th, Orlando

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 31 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Physicians from around the county will gather in Orlando early next month to shape the future political and legislative agenda of America's largest physician organization.

The American Medical Association's House of Delegates is a democratic forum designed to create a national physician consensus on health care issues in the United States. This unifying consensus results in policies that will determine the future course of AMA programs and advocacy.

More than 100 policy proposals on emerging issues in science, ethics, government, public health and business will be considered. Physicians will determine which proposals will receive AMA support during two parliamentary voting sessions. Potential advocacy positions to be considered for AMA support include:

- State legislation banning text messaging while operating motor vehicles. - Federal legislation banning the use of trans fats in restaurants and bakeries. - Rescuing seniors' access to care with a permanent Medicare payment fix. - Action plan for eliminating the shortage of primary care physicians. - Strategies to promote physicians practices in underserved areas. - Endorsing "green" initiatives and waste management policies. - Enhancing programs that prepare minority students for careers as physicians. - Ethical guidelines for the use of secret shopper patients to evaluate quality and service.

A comprehensive list of policy proposals to be considered by the House of Delegates is available on the AMA Web site.

WHAT: Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates

WHERE: Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, FL 32821

WHEN: Saturday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 11.
Please visit theAMA Web site fora tentative meeting schedule.

REGISTRATION: The AMA House of Delegates is open to credentialed members of the press. To arrange for press credentials, or to receive additional details, please contact AMA Media Relations at: (312) 464-4430.

AGENDA: Please visit the AMA Web site to receive an informative preview of the upcoming policy-making meeting.

DAILY EVENTS: All events will take place at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Times and room locations are subject to change. Please contact AMA Media Relations to receive updates.

Saturday, November 8

Opening Session of the AMA House of Delegates 3:00 to 5:30 pm (ET) in the Palms Ballroom The AMA's primary policy-making body convenes for its Interim Meeting.

Sunday, November 9

Committee Hearings
8:30 am (ET) - please contact the AMA Media Relations for specific times and room locations
Open hearings are convened to review and debate proposed policies.
Special Presentation - This is the Captain Speaking: Is there a Doctor On-board the Plane?
3:00 pm (ET) in Grand Ballroom 8B
The education session will discuss factors that affect medical emergencies on commercial airlines, the experience of a U.S. airline in dealing with in-flight emergencies and legal implications of being a Good Samaritan for an in-flight emergency.

Monday, November 10

Special Presentation - AMA Proposal for Reform: Expanding Coverage and Choice
8:00 am (ET) in Grand Ballroom 7B
This education session will discuss the political hot topic of health care reform and showcase effective reforms that could improve the nation's system for delivering medical care. The AMA will present a historical review on the development of AMA policy for expanding insurance coverage and choice, and provide a legislative analysis concerning the AMA proposal for reform. Also included in this presentation is an outline of the "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign, a multi-million dollar effort launched by the AMA to ensure the next president of the United States puts meaningful health care reform at the top of the national agenda.
Special Presentation . Women in Combat: New Challenges for Medicine and Society
9:00 am (ET) in Crystal Ballroom M/N
The AMA Women Physicians Congress is sponsoring an education session on the physical, psychological, social and tactical concerns for women in the military, including issues of sex discrimination and work/life adjustments. Presentations will also address the long-term ramifications for patients, families and the health care system of new life saving techniques from the war in Iraq.
Special Presentation - American College of Emergency Physicians: Emergency Medicine Update
9:30 am (ET) in Crystal Ballroom E & G2
Studies report that our nation's ability to deliver emergency care is seriously compromised by a range of complex issues. A panel representing the perspectives of hospitals, on-call physicians, "in the trenches" emergency physicians, and policy thought leaders will explore these challenges and collaborative solutions. Panelists will present effective, proven methods to address these problems and their crippling impact on the delivery of timely, quality emergency care.
Voting Session of the AMA House of Delegates
2:00 to 6:00 pm (ET) in the Palms Ballroom
Delegates convene for the first day of voting on proposed policies.
AMA News Conference
6:00 pm (ET) in the Press Availability Room
Press event to discuss actions taken by the AMA House of Delegates during the opening voting session.

Tuesday, November 11

Voting Session of the AMA House of Delegates
8:00 am to 1:00 pm (ET) in the Palms Ballroom
Delegates convene for the final day of voting on proposed policies.
AMA News Conference
1:00 pm (ET) in the Press Availability Room
Press event to discuss actions taken by the AMA House of Delegates during the final voting session.

American Medical Association

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