2019-2020 MSMA Council Meeting Highlights
Contact MSMA's Executive Vice President Patrick Mills or call 800-869-6762.
Meeting of July 2019 - Lake of the Ozarks
During the July 2019 Council Meeting in Osage Beach, Missouri, MSMA voted to support a campaign for the November 2020 ballot initiative regarding Medicaid expansion. Currently, a proposed statute and a proposed Constitutional amendment, both with the same language, have been filed with the Secretary of State. MSMA support would be given to whichever option emerges as viable. The Council also approved supporting Missouri Hospital Association’s subcontract with Iowa Healthcare Collaborative for the CMS Clinician Quality Improvement Collaboration.
Advocacy
The Council heard a review of legislative issues, including prior authorization reform, medication-assisted treatment, APRN, Physical Therapy, and other scope of practice issues, as well as public health issues such as homelessness and anti-vaccination.
Two resolutions were referred to the Committee on Legislative Affairs. Discussion on Resolution 1 regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy was tabled until October so staff can gather more information; Resolution 7 - Supporting Environmental Health Legislation, was adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Missouri State Medical Association support legislation that addresses the harm presented by environmental pollution, and seeks to improve air and water quality as it affects the health of Missouri patients.
Other actions from the Annual Convention resolutions can be found at www.msma.org/resolution-actions.
Participation in the 2019 Physician of the Day program was very much appreciated; the sign-up form and available dates for 2020 are now on the website. Physicians may also agree to have a student shadow them. MSMA encourages volunteers to bring along a non-member colleague to the Capitol. White Coat Day for 2020 will be held on March 3. A sign-up form is also on the website.
MSMA has hosted several advocacy events, one in St. Louis and one in Kansas City, co-sponsored by St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society and Kansas Medical Society. MSMA staff is happy to bring an advocacy event to you at your local medical society, medical staff, or at your home. MSMA can arrange to have your local state representative stop by. Contact MSMA for more information.
In addition to the weekly legislative updates that are provided during the legislative session, MSMA will now provide updates on the second and fourth Thursdays of the months outside of session. Please share this information with non-members.
A new communication tool, Phone2Action, will allow members to send a one-time text to sign up to be linked with their legislators, and will receive notifications when important issues are being addressed. They will then be able to provide input directly to their elected officials.
SHINE
There are changes in the ownership of KAMMCO Healthcare Solutions (KHS). KAMMCO is the professional liability insurance company sponsored by Kansas Medical Society. The insurance company has divested, and has sold KHS to Kansas Health Information Network, a 501c(3). The contractual relationships with KHS are unchanged, although they now have a new parent company. Department of Social Services budget includes $1 million, and SHINE (Show-Me Health Information Network) hopes to leverage that for the federal 90% match. It has already received $83,000 as the share of the Physicians Foundation grant, and hopes to use those funds to defray some of the up-front connection costs. The SHINE HIE connection fee is about $3,500, and EHR connection costs to HIEs are between $3,000 and $20,000.
CME
Identified topics for the 2020 Annual Convention, based on evaluation summaries and practice gaps, include state and national advocacy efforts, science of medical marijuana, e-cigarettes and vaping, and medicine/artificial intelligence. An ad hoc committee, chaired by Betty Drees, MD, will study the MSMA Annual Convention to find ways to streamline the programming, identify savings, increase efficiency, and find alternative means that maintain its purpose of governance, education, and camaraderie.
Missouri Physicians Health Program
Lisa Thomas, MD, Medical Director for MPHP, praised the success rate of the program. The rate of return to successful practice is high because the MPHP program is longer and more comprehensive than other programs of similar nature.
AMA Report
Edmond Cabbabe, MD, reported that the AMA delegation, including Drs. Jim DiRenna and George Hruza, as well as the student and resident representatives, attended the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago in June. Dr. Cabbabe has completed his second year on the Council of Long-Range Planning and Development and encouraged application to the AMA Community Health Grants through the AMA Foundation. David Barbe, MD, has completed his leadership role with the AMA, and as Past President he will have a seat in the House of Delegates. He is now in line to be President-Elect of the World Medical Association. MSMA presented a resolution at the AMA meeting regarding the care of children of incarcerated parents. It was combined with a similar resolution, and was adopted.
Alliance
Gill Waltman reported that she and Diana Corzine have been installed for a second term in their roles as President and President-Elect. The Alliance executive board met on May 29, with Fall Conference scheduled for October, Winter Board Meeting and Day at the Legislature to be held in conjunction with White Coat Day, and the Annual Meeting planned for April 3. The AMA Alliance Annual Meeting was held in Chicago in June, and Missouri had the largest representation. The AMA Alliance will be adding “vaping” to the list of issues to be addressed through their programs. The SLMMS Alliance received the 2019 AMA Alliance Health Awareness Promotion Award for its opioid awareness program at Loyola Academy in St. Louis.
Announcements
Council Chair Alexander Hover, MD, welcomed new Council members: Christopher Swingle, DO, District 3 Councilor; Michael Weaver, MD, First Vice President; Samantha Lund, AMA Student Delegate from Washington University; and Priya Jain, Medical Student Section Vice Councilor from UMKC. Councilor Advisors were appointed: David Kuhlmann, MD – Commission on Medical Economics; Peggy Barjenbruch, MD – Commission on Continuing Education; George Hubbell, MD – Commission on Public Affairs; Lisa Thomas, MD – Physicians Health Committee.
Councilor District Reports (Selected)
District 1
Robert Corder, MD, reported that Buchanan County Medical Society is focusing on issues that affect the health of the community, specifically human trafficking and the opioid epidemic. Dr. Corder participates in the Missouri ECHO program, which offers teleconference CME for free during the semi-monthly Opioid Use Disorder program offered by ECHO.
District 3
Christopher Swingle, DO, reported the 17th Annual Hippocrates Lecture will take place on September 17 at Spazio’s Westport in St. Louis. More information is available on the SLMMS website.
District 6
Warren Lovinger, MD, reported that Nevada Regional Medical Center, which is owned by the community, has been very close to being liquidated several times. The Sole Community Hospital program, along with a half-cent sales tax, will help NRMC to meet its required bond payments.
District 7
Lancer Gates, DO, announced that Marc Taormina, MD, has been appointed by Governor Parson to serve on the Missouri Board of Healing Arts. The Kansas City Medical Society Annual Meeting will be on Sept. 26. The guest speaker is Vanila Singh, MD, the Chief Medical Officer for the office of the Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
District 8
Matthew Stinson, MD, reported that Greene County Medical Society has been involved in the Tobacco 21 measure locally, and hopes that the measure will pass. Brian Curtis, MD, reported that the Joplin Medical School is in its third year; there should be nearly 120 students coming into the two hospitals, Freeman and Mercy, next year.
Organized Medical Staff Section
Peggy Barjenbruch, MD, reported that approximately 100 physicians attended the AMA OMSS in June in Chicago. Out of 12 business items, three prompted robust discussion: accountable care organizations, restrictive covenants, and limitations on physician access to hospital services based on case and monetary volumetrics. The section sent six resolutions to the House of Delegates, including one on ergonomic injuries.
Medical Student Section
Scott Berndt encouraged members to reach out to students to attend their meetings. He thanked the Council for its help with the resolution that the MSS put forth and got passed at the AMA Annual Meeting regarding care of children of incarcerated parents. MU is working on a Homeless Connect project. UMKC is continuing to work on advocacy and getting students signed up to vote. Washington University recently hosted a Pints and Policy event. KCUMB and SLU both have upcoming meetings.
Next Council Meeting
The next meeting will be held Oct. 13, 2019, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City.
During the July 2019 Council Meeting in Osage Beach, Missouri, MSMA voted to support a campaign for the November 2020 ballot initiative regarding Medicaid expansion. Currently, a proposed statute and a proposed Constitutional amendment, both with the same language, have been filed with the Secretary of State. MSMA support would be given to whichever option emerges as viable. The Council also approved supporting Missouri Hospital Association’s subcontract with Iowa Healthcare Collaborative for the CMS Clinician Quality Improvement Collaboration.
Advocacy
The Council heard a review of legislative issues, including prior authorization reform, medication-assisted treatment, APRN, Physical Therapy, and other scope of practice issues, as well as public health issues such as homelessness and anti-vaccination.
Two resolutions were referred to the Committee on Legislative Affairs. Discussion on Resolution 1 regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy was tabled until October so staff can gather more information; Resolution 7 - Supporting Environmental Health Legislation, was adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Missouri State Medical Association support legislation that addresses the harm presented by environmental pollution, and seeks to improve air and water quality as it affects the health of Missouri patients.
Other actions from the Annual Convention resolutions can be found at www.msma.org/resolution-actions.
Participation in the 2019 Physician of the Day program was very much appreciated; the sign-up form and available dates for 2020 are now on the website. Physicians may also agree to have a student shadow them. MSMA encourages volunteers to bring along a non-member colleague to the Capitol. White Coat Day for 2020 will be held on March 3. A sign-up form is also on the website.
MSMA has hosted several advocacy events, one in St. Louis and one in Kansas City, co-sponsored by St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society and Kansas Medical Society. MSMA staff is happy to bring an advocacy event to you at your local medical society, medical staff, or at your home. MSMA can arrange to have your local state representative stop by. Contact MSMA for more information.
In addition to the weekly legislative updates that are provided during the legislative session, MSMA will now provide updates on the second and fourth Thursdays of the months outside of session. Please share this information with non-members.
A new communication tool, Phone2Action, will allow members to send a one-time text to sign up to be linked with their legislators, and will receive notifications when important issues are being addressed. They will then be able to provide input directly to their elected officials.
SHINE
There are changes in the ownership of KAMMCO Healthcare Solutions (KHS). KAMMCO is the professional liability insurance company sponsored by Kansas Medical Society. The insurance company has divested, and has sold KHS to Kansas Health Information Network, a 501c(3). The contractual relationships with KHS are unchanged, although they now have a new parent company. Department of Social Services budget includes $1 million, and SHINE (Show-Me Health Information Network) hopes to leverage that for the federal 90% match. It has already received $83,000 as the share of the Physicians Foundation grant, and hopes to use those funds to defray some of the up-front connection costs. The SHINE HIE connection fee is about $3,500, and EHR connection costs to HIEs are between $3,000 and $20,000.
CME
Identified topics for the 2020 Annual Convention, based on evaluation summaries and practice gaps, include state and national advocacy efforts, science of medical marijuana, e-cigarettes and vaping, and medicine/artificial intelligence. An ad hoc committee, chaired by Betty Drees, MD, will study the MSMA Annual Convention to find ways to streamline the programming, identify savings, increase efficiency, and find alternative means that maintain its purpose of governance, education, and camaraderie.
Missouri Physicians Health Program
Lisa Thomas, MD, Medical Director for MPHP, praised the success rate of the program. The rate of return to successful practice is high because the MPHP program is longer and more comprehensive than other programs of similar nature.
AMA Report
Edmond Cabbabe, MD, reported that the AMA delegation, including Drs. Jim DiRenna and George Hruza, as well as the student and resident representatives, attended the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago in June. Dr. Cabbabe has completed his second year on the Council of Long-Range Planning and Development and encouraged application to the AMA Community Health Grants through the AMA Foundation. David Barbe, MD, has completed his leadership role with the AMA, and as Past President he will have a seat in the House of Delegates. He is now in line to be President-Elect of the World Medical Association. MSMA presented a resolution at the AMA meeting regarding the care of children of incarcerated parents. It was combined with a similar resolution, and was adopted.
Alliance
Gill Waltman reported that she and Diana Corzine have been installed for a second term in their roles as President and President-Elect. The Alliance executive board met on May 29, with Fall Conference scheduled for October, Winter Board Meeting and Day at the Legislature to be held in conjunction with White Coat Day, and the Annual Meeting planned for April 3. The AMA Alliance Annual Meeting was held in Chicago in June, and Missouri had the largest representation. The AMA Alliance will be adding “vaping” to the list of issues to be addressed through their programs. The SLMMS Alliance received the 2019 AMA Alliance Health Awareness Promotion Award for its opioid awareness program at Loyola Academy in St. Louis.
Announcements
Council Chair Alexander Hover, MD, welcomed new Council members: Christopher Swingle, DO, District 3 Councilor; Michael Weaver, MD, First Vice President; Samantha Lund, AMA Student Delegate from Washington University; and Priya Jain, Medical Student Section Vice Councilor from UMKC. Councilor Advisors were appointed: David Kuhlmann, MD – Commission on Medical Economics; Peggy Barjenbruch, MD – Commission on Continuing Education; George Hubbell, MD – Commission on Public Affairs; Lisa Thomas, MD – Physicians Health Committee.
Councilor District Reports (Selected)
District 1
Robert Corder, MD, reported that Buchanan County Medical Society is focusing on issues that affect the health of the community, specifically human trafficking and the opioid epidemic. Dr. Corder participates in the Missouri ECHO program, which offers teleconference CME for free during the semi-monthly Opioid Use Disorder program offered by ECHO.
District 3
Christopher Swingle, DO, reported the 17th Annual Hippocrates Lecture will take place on September 17 at Spazio’s Westport in St. Louis. More information is available on the SLMMS website.
District 6
Warren Lovinger, MD, reported that Nevada Regional Medical Center, which is owned by the community, has been very close to being liquidated several times. The Sole Community Hospital program, along with a half-cent sales tax, will help NRMC to meet its required bond payments.
District 7
Lancer Gates, DO, announced that Marc Taormina, MD, has been appointed by Governor Parson to serve on the Missouri Board of Healing Arts. The Kansas City Medical Society Annual Meeting will be on Sept. 26. The guest speaker is Vanila Singh, MD, the Chief Medical Officer for the office of the Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
District 8
Matthew Stinson, MD, reported that Greene County Medical Society has been involved in the Tobacco 21 measure locally, and hopes that the measure will pass. Brian Curtis, MD, reported that the Joplin Medical School is in its third year; there should be nearly 120 students coming into the two hospitals, Freeman and Mercy, next year.
Organized Medical Staff Section
Peggy Barjenbruch, MD, reported that approximately 100 physicians attended the AMA OMSS in June in Chicago. Out of 12 business items, three prompted robust discussion: accountable care organizations, restrictive covenants, and limitations on physician access to hospital services based on case and monetary volumetrics. The section sent six resolutions to the House of Delegates, including one on ergonomic injuries.
Medical Student Section
Scott Berndt encouraged members to reach out to students to attend their meetings. He thanked the Council for its help with the resolution that the MSS put forth and got passed at the AMA Annual Meeting regarding care of children of incarcerated parents. MU is working on a Homeless Connect project. UMKC is continuing to work on advocacy and getting students signed up to vote. Washington University recently hosted a Pints and Policy event. KCUMB and SLU both have upcoming meetings.
Next Council Meeting
The next meeting will be held Oct. 13, 2019, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jefferson City.
Meeting of January 2019 - Jefferson City
MSMA Council met via conference call for its January Council Meeting due to inclement weather. Below are the highlights.
Advocacy
MSMA President Joseph Corrado, MD, is representing MSMA around the state, visiting at nearly all county medical society meetings. He reminded members to attend the White Coat Rally Day on March 5. You can sign up at www.msma.org/white-coat-rally. MSMA intervention helped end Medicaid’s Opioid Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) program on Opioid Prescription Intervention and its mass letter campaign. Opioid letters have now stopped, thanks to the involvement of MSMA at the committee meetings in Jefferson City. MSMA has thanked Governor Parson for his approach in holding opioid prescribing committee hearings in lieu of the letters. MSMA will remain involved and work with OPAC.
Annual Convention
MSMA’s 161st Annual Convention registration is open and participants need to make hotel reservations by March 4. Six General Sessions will feature topics on Near-Death Experiences, Non-Opioid Pain Medicine, Physician Suicide, Alcoholism, Generational Differences, and Physician Employment Negotiations. Visit www.msma.org/annual-convention for more information.
SHINE
Show-Me Health Information Network (SHINE) is growing throughout Missouri. A Kansas City health system, Prime Health, which includes St. Joseph Health Center, St. Mary’s-Blue Springs, and the three hospitals on the Kansas side, have signed up to utilize the HIE. This is the second health system in Kansas City, with St. Luke’s already being on board. There are a number of independent physicians in Joplin who are expressing interest.
Association Health Plan
MSMA has joined other state medical associations in forming a nationwide Association Health Plan (AHP) to benefit members. Active MSMA members who are interested in learning more about participating in the AHP, visit www.msma.org/AHP for more information.
Resolutions
Resolution #6 – Medical Records Custodial Storage
Because there are vendors who handle medical records and storage, the resolution was not adopted. MSMA will publicize information regarding the storage of medical records upon retirement or relocation in Progress Notes and on www.msma.org.
Alliance
MSMA Alliance President Gillian Waltman thanked all who participated in the Holiday Sharing Card campaign, and reported that more than $3,000 was raised among 38 participants. The Show-Me Alliance News and Missouri Medicine listed those who contributed. During MSMA’s Annual Convention, the Alliance will host a fundraiser with the theme “The British Invasion” on Friday night. Tickets may be purchased in advance, and funds raised would benefit MSMF.
Reports
The Council approved the following reports: Commission on Continuing Education, Physicians Health Committee, Publications Committee and Editorial Board, Actions and Recommendations on Resolutions from the 2018 Annual Meeting, and the AMA Report.
Next Council Meeting
The next meeting will be April 4 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City.
MSMA Council met via conference call for its January Council Meeting due to inclement weather. Below are the highlights.
Advocacy
MSMA President Joseph Corrado, MD, is representing MSMA around the state, visiting at nearly all county medical society meetings. He reminded members to attend the White Coat Rally Day on March 5. You can sign up at www.msma.org/white-coat-rally. MSMA intervention helped end Medicaid’s Opioid Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) program on Opioid Prescription Intervention and its mass letter campaign. Opioid letters have now stopped, thanks to the involvement of MSMA at the committee meetings in Jefferson City. MSMA has thanked Governor Parson for his approach in holding opioid prescribing committee hearings in lieu of the letters. MSMA will remain involved and work with OPAC.
Annual Convention
MSMA’s 161st Annual Convention registration is open and participants need to make hotel reservations by March 4. Six General Sessions will feature topics on Near-Death Experiences, Non-Opioid Pain Medicine, Physician Suicide, Alcoholism, Generational Differences, and Physician Employment Negotiations. Visit www.msma.org/annual-convention for more information.
SHINE
Show-Me Health Information Network (SHINE) is growing throughout Missouri. A Kansas City health system, Prime Health, which includes St. Joseph Health Center, St. Mary’s-Blue Springs, and the three hospitals on the Kansas side, have signed up to utilize the HIE. This is the second health system in Kansas City, with St. Luke’s already being on board. There are a number of independent physicians in Joplin who are expressing interest.
Association Health Plan
MSMA has joined other state medical associations in forming a nationwide Association Health Plan (AHP) to benefit members. Active MSMA members who are interested in learning more about participating in the AHP, visit www.msma.org/AHP for more information.
Resolutions
Resolution #6 – Medical Records Custodial Storage
Because there are vendors who handle medical records and storage, the resolution was not adopted. MSMA will publicize information regarding the storage of medical records upon retirement or relocation in Progress Notes and on www.msma.org.
Alliance
MSMA Alliance President Gillian Waltman thanked all who participated in the Holiday Sharing Card campaign, and reported that more than $3,000 was raised among 38 participants. The Show-Me Alliance News and Missouri Medicine listed those who contributed. During MSMA’s Annual Convention, the Alliance will host a fundraiser with the theme “The British Invasion” on Friday night. Tickets may be purchased in advance, and funds raised would benefit MSMF.
Reports
The Council approved the following reports: Commission on Continuing Education, Physicians Health Committee, Publications Committee and Editorial Board, Actions and Recommendations on Resolutions from the 2018 Annual Meeting, and the AMA Report.
Next Council Meeting
The next meeting will be April 4 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City.
