Today's Headlines
July 2, 2009
MAG News
07.01 MAG releases summary of House health care reform bill 'discussion draft'
Read document from MAG's executive director
07.01 Video posted of MAG president calling for right to privately contract during Congressional testimony
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., told the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce that giving patients and physicians the right to enter into private contractual agreements is the single most important step that lawmakers can take to reform the country’s health care system when he testified in Washington, D.C., on June 25.
Watch Dr. Williamson's testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Full Q&A period during House hearing on health care reform "discussion draft"
Read Dr. Williamson's testimony submitted to the House committee
07.01 Emory preparing for conference on health care volunteerism with survey
Emory University’s Department of Medicine is soliciting feedback from health care providers and lay people who volunteer their time to provide health care services or medical education. Emory is distributing a simple, nine-question survey that will serve a as the basis for a conference for the general public, health care students, and health care professionals that will take place at Emory later this year to promote volunteerism. Contact Zoe Haugo at zoe_haugo@bellsouth.net or 404.417.9780 to obtain a copy of the survey.
06.30 June News from MAG is now available for download
06.30 WellPoint settlement agreement terms to expire July 15
The terms of a settlement agreement between physicians and WellPoint, Inc./BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia will expire on July 15, 2009. Some 900,000 physicians and WellPoint/BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia settled two national class action law suits that were pending in federal court in 2005. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, WellPoint implemented a number of changes that benefitted physicians that were in effect for four years.
MAG members who are experiencing any problems with WellPoint/BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia are encouraged to contact MAG’s Office of the General Counsel at 800.282.0224 or 678.303.9271 before July 15 to determine if the problem is covered by the settlement agreement.
06.26 Governor appoints MAG chairman to Georgia Board for Physician Workforce
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has appointed E. Daniel DeLoach, M.D., the chairman of MAG's board of directors, to the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce (GBPW). GBPW advises state lawmakers on physician workforce and medical education policy and issues.
06.25 MAG president to call for right to privately contract in Congressional testimony
MAG President M. Todd Williamson, M.D., will tell the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce that giving patients and physicians the right to enter into private contractual agreements is the single most important step that lawmakers can take to reform the country’s health care system when he testifies in Washington, D.C., today, June 25. Dr. Williamson was asked to comment on the House-sponsored health care legislation "discussion draft."
Watch Dr. Williamson's testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Read Dr. Williamson's testimony submitted to the House committee
06.18 Physicians cautioned to be on lookout for Medicare fax scam
The American Medical Association is warning physicians/staff about a scam whereby the perpetrators are sending faxes to physician's offices posing as a Medicare carrier or a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The fax reportedly instructs the physician/staff to provide account information by completing a questionnaire within 48 hours to prevent a gap in Medicare payments. The faxes have reportedly included the CMS logo and/or the contractor logo to enhance the appearance of its authenticity. AMA is advising Medicare providers to contact the applicable contractor before submitting any such information. Medicare providers should only send information to a Medicare contractor using www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ or www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.
06.18 HIT policy committee reveals the 'first draft' of meaningful use and requests public comment
Click here for terminology and how to comment
06.16 MAG remains focused on free market solutions, physician-patient relationship at AMA meeting
The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) has maintained its unwavering leadership role in promoting a free market and the restoration of the physician-patient relationship as the keys to preserving and enhancing the nation’s health care system during the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates meeting in Chicago this week.
06.15 MAG's AMA delegates attend president's address
Watch President Obama's speech
Click here for transcript of President Obama's remarks to AMA
Site Highlights
Our profession, our future ... a three-minute video message from physicians in Georgia
Board 'Mega Issue': The State of Independent Medical Practice, prepared by Paul Jellinek and Stephen Isaacs
Stand up for physicians and patients in Georgia ... renew your MAG membership today
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MAG-commissioned Economic Impact Study
MAG's 2009 Policy Compendium
Download MAG's Model Medical Staff Bylaws
