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June 2021 AMA Virtual Special Meeting Wraps Up
Your Michigan Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) hit a grand slam at the AMA’s June Special Meeting with the re-election of S. Bobby Mukkamala, MD, to the AMA Board of Trustees and consideration of all three of Michigan’s resolutions. Despite the challenges of a virtual environment and ongoing impact of the pandemic, the Michigan Delegation was fully engaged in the business of the House of Delegates (HOD) under the leadership of Mark C. Komorowski, MD, Chair, Paul D. Bozyk, MD, Vice Chair, and Christie L. Morgan, MD, Secretary-Treasurer.
As has become the tradition, Michigan’s Delegation was very visible during the meeting with Jayne E. Courts, MD, and Michael D. Chafty, MD, JD, chairing Reference Committees A (Medical Service) and F (AMA Finance and Governance), respectively, and Venkat K. Rao participating as a member of Reference Committee B (Legislation). Council members Betty S. Chu, MD (Medical Service) and Pino D. Colone (Constitution and Bylaws) presented Council reports and input during committees. “Reference committee work is quite arduous and time consuming and our Delegation continually leads in the AMA HOD with these volunteers,” shared Doctor Komorowski. “The remainder of the Delegation provided meaningful testimony both in committee and on the floor.”
Like this year’s MSMS HOD, the Federation was asked to limit items of business to issues of priority and urgency due to the logistical challenges presented by a virtual HOD. Doctor Bozyk noted, “Envision juggling multiple IT platforms to hear and participate in
No. Title Final Action
testimony, while texting different stakeholders and caucuses regarding positions. But in no way did this deter the House - - even a Delegate in the military who was deployed overseas testified, or the Michigan Delegation under Doctor Komorowski’s leadership.” Michigan’s resolutions are listed below.
Doctor Komorowski also recognized Doctor Morgan’s role in Doctor Mukkamala’s re-election victory to the AMA Board of Trustees on which he will serve as the Chair of the Board after this meeting. “Through her tireless efforts, Doctor Morgan was able to help Bobby win re-election with 95 percent of the vote.” While running an election during a pandemic and virtual meeting format was challenging, it also offered some opportunities. “Through virtual meetings and interviews, Bobby was able to connect with all segments of the House and really listen to what is happening in various specialties, practices, and communities,” Doctor Morgan remarked. “The information gleaned during these discussions will enable him to be an active and committed advocate for the House of Medicine at the national level.”
Doctor Bozyk shared a final thought when assessing the Meeting’s activities over the past six days, “Regardless of format, there was tremendous enthusiasm to live up to the expectations of those who sent us - - to advocate for physicians, promote science, and improve public health. While we look forward to returning to in person meetings, I am amazed by what this special session of the HOD was able to accomplish virtually.”
22 Maternal Levels of Care Policy H-245.971, “Home Deliveries” reaffirmed in lieu of Resolution 022 Standards of Practice
121
Medicaid Dialysis Policy for Undocu- mented Patients
Adopted as amended to read as follows:
RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and state Medicaid programs to cover scheduled outpatient maintenance dialysis for undocumented patients with end stage kidney disease under Emergency Medicaid.
226
Interest-Based Debt Burden on Medical Students and Residents
Adopted as amended to read as follows:
RESOLVED, That our AMA strongly advocate for the passage of legislation to allow borrow- ers medical students, residents and fellows who have education loans to qualify for interest-free deferment on their student loans while serving in a medical or dental internship, residency, or fellowship program, as well as permitting the conversation of currently unsubsidized Stafford and Graduate Plus loans to interest free status for the duration of undergraduate and graduate medical education.
For highlights from the AMA Special Meeting, visit https://www.ama-assn.org/house-delegates/special- meeting/highlights-june-2021-ama-special-meeting.
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JUNE/JULY 2021 | WWW.OCMS-MI.ORG