In a rare and distinguished opportunity, the president of the American Medical Association paid a visit to the Texas Medical Association at its Winter Conference on Jan. 28, praising Texas physicians for their advocacy accomplishments in several key areas that align with AMA’s Recovery Plan for Physicians.
From fighting for Medicare payment and prior authorization reform, to stopping scope creep and caring for physicians’ well-being post-pandemic, AMA “sees and values” TMA and recognizes the work it does for medicine, Jack Resneck Jr., MD, a dermatologist in San Francisco, told a roomful of Texas physicians.
Speaking of the untenability of the recent Medicare payment reductions, Dr. Resneck said the problem is “a priority” for AMA this year. Especially following a pandemic that has strained physician practices emotionally and financially, “I can’t think of a worse time for Congress to threaten” such cuts, he said.
Texas physicians sent nearly 2,000 messages to their federal representatives protesting the cuts, which Congress partially and temporarily patched.
“You all have let your members of Congress and your senators know about this. There is not a lack of knowledge about this – there is a lack of will,” Dr. Resneck said.
As fixing prior authorization is another tenet of AMA’s advocacy, AMA and the nation’s physicians also are closely and eagerly watching implementation of Texas’ gold-card law, which he called “TSA pre-check for prior authorization.”
“And you all have been heroic in your efforts regarding the No Surprises Act,” he said of TMA’s litigation over rules implementing the federal surprise billing law.
Acknowledging physicians face more and more barriers that make their profession harder to do, Dr. Resneck said AMA has resolved to reduce burnout as a central part of its Recovery Plan for Physicians:
“We have to fix what’s broken, and it’s not the doctor,” he said, complimenting TMA’s own physician wellness initiative. “You cannot yoga your way out of burnout. … There are not enough Starbucks gift cards.”
TMA’s alignment with AMA goals and its role in AMA policy is strong – Dr. Resneck called the Texas Delegation to the AMA powerful and respected.
TMA President Gary Floyd, MD, reminded members that delegation could be even stronger. AMA policy allows for one delegate per 1,000 state medical association members who join AMA, which could add up to 56 delegates for Texas. Currently, the delegation stands at 20 members.
While TMA can influence change in the state, Dr. Floyd said some necessary health care reform can only happen nationally by collaborating with AMA.
Despite the challenges, however, Dr. Resneck encouraged TMA members to find joy in their field.
“I love my job. It is a privilege to sit down with patients every day,” he said. “What motivates me is [that] I feel it is our responsibility to preserve this profession for the next generation.”