New multispecialty org launches to support independent practice

American Medical Association Applauds Expanding Health Care Access For 'Dreamers'

Details Last Updated: Monday, 06 May 2024 03:46 Published: Monday, 06 May 2024 06:29

May 6, 2024 - Statement attributed to Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH, President, American Medical Association:

"Our country will become healthier and more equitable after the Biden Administration announced today it will expand health care access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), or Dreamers.

"The AMA has supported (PDF) extending eligibility to purchase Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage to DACA recipients and advancing policies that address the unmet medical needs of unaccompanied undocumented minor children. The AMA knows that expanding access and advancing health equity improves population health and is likely to result in reduced costs for American taxpayers since individuals without insurance are less likely to receive preventative or routine health screenings and may delay necessary medical care, often resulting in higher health care costs down the road.

"The AMA also continues to support expanding access to Medicaid/CHIP coverage to these populations, which was proposed but ultimately not finalized. While we appreciate resource constraints on state Medicaid agencies, we urge the administration to finalize these important access expansions in future rulemaking and look forward to engaging on this and other policies that expand access to health care services, particularly for historically marginalized populations."

About the American Medical AssociationThe American Medical Association is the physicians' powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.Source: AMA

Related: President Biden Announces Final Rule that will Allow Eligible DACA Recipients to Enroll in Affordable Care Act Coverage

AMA: 'Time To Scrutinize' Medical Supply Chain

The global medical supply chain is flawed and all stakeholders have a hand in these issues, according to the American Medical Association. 

In an April 17 post titled "Why it's time to scrutinize global medical supply chain security," an AMA news writer said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted longstanding vulnerabilities in the global supply chain. Policymakers, healthcare organizations, regulators, manufacturers and distributors are responsible for these issues, according to the article. 

"Ongoing failures to cultivate public health capacity, nourish sustainable production processes and carefully maintain systemic supply chain resiliency are unjust," the post said. 

In AMA Journal of Ethics, recent articles urge the World Health Organization to distinguish between drugs that are "essential" and those "vulnerable" to shortages; what policymakers and prescribers should know about imported medicines; ethical guidelines for providing care during resource constraints; and how critical medicines should be rationed during a shortage.

Pros, Cons Of 4 Different Practice Settings, Per The AMA

When it comes to choosing a practice setting, physicians have a lot to think about. Whether it be self-employment, employment, or employment in an academic setting, there are pros and cons to every option. 

The American Medical Association has identified some key pros and cons to four different physician practice settings in an April 17 report.

The pros, cons of four different practice settings: 

1. Solo practice owner 

Pros: If you own your own facility, you have full autonomy over everything, from administrative, to legal, to financial decisions and more. 

Cons: It can be difficult to start a practice from the ground up. There are administrative burdens, high startup and overhead costs, and unpredictable work hours to consider. 

2. Group practice owner 

Pros: If physicians jointly own a practice, the hours and income are often more predictable, and a new physician-owner won't have to build their own patient base. There is less individual fiscal responsibility than with a solo practice. 

Cons: When physicians have partners, it can ruin some autonomy. 

3. Employee in a group practice, hospital or health system 

Pros: Physicians typically get a high, stable base income. There is also often a more predictable work schedule. 

Cons: Physicians have less autonomy over their patient base, income distribution, quality-assurance standards, referral restrictions and more. 

4. Employee in an academic institution

Pros: Salaries can be low, but academic institutions often offer other perks, including time off, retirement plans and the opportunity to take on new roles and responsibilities. 

Cons: Salaries may be lower, and sometimes attending faculty members have to fill patient care gaps when residents have other commitments. 

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