TSA President's
Update
October 21, 2009
Dear TSA Members:
Greetings! In this high season of active health care issues, the waves of state and national issues continue to roll toward the beaches of Texas anesthesiologists. Following are some of the key activities with which the TSA is currently involved.
- The Johnson Amendment to H.R. 3200
As you know, H.R. 3200, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009” includes a government-sponsored health plan, a.k.a. the public plan option. The Johnson Amendment, proposed by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, would de-link anesthesia payment from Medicare rates under a public plan. The amendment would ensure that any public plan allows for payment at "not less than the average rate paid by Exchange-participating health benefits plans." This would be a tremendous benefit for anesthesiologists if a public plan were to become law. The TSA and ASA strongly support this amendment. If you have not already done so, I urge you to contact your Representative immediately and tell them that you support the Johnson Amendment to H.R. 3200.
There’s a story behind the Johnson Amendment. In early September 2009, a hard-working and pro-active group of anesthesiologists from Metropolitan Anesthesia Consultants in the Dallas area invited a Democratic Congresswoman to a public event in which they celebrated the grand opening of their new office. To our knowledge, this Congresswoman had never before given an appointment to anesthesiologists. This group, headed by TSA Secretary Dr. Tillmann Hein, took advantage of this opportunity to explain to the Congresswoman how anesthesiologists are uniquely disadvantaged, when compared to all physicians under the current Medicare payment system. The Congresswoman was amazed and appalled to hear this, and promised immediate help. That Congresswoman was Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX, District 30), and the result of the efforts of Dr. Hein and Metropolitan Anesthesia Consultants was the Johnson Amendment to H.R. 3200.
Folks, advocacy works…especially if you get the right people, delivering the right message, at the right time. I hope that you will continue to support the ASAPAC and TSAPAC.
- Senate Bill 1776
The “Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009” has been introduced as a potential solution to the Sustained Growth Rate formula (SGR) that has hindered physician payment for many years. The problem with this bill is that, although it would eliminate past accumulated SGR debt, it does not provide for any future increase in physician payment. The ASA and TSA are taking no position on this bill in its present state. If amendments alter this bill, the positions of the ASA and TSA may change.
- The TSAPAC and organized advocacy
The TSAPAC has been active with fundraisers and support of key incumbents and candidates who are supportive of Texas anesthesiologists and our patients. Some of the more prominent Texas Legislators include Governor Rick Perry, Lois Kolkhorst (Chair of the Public Health Committee), Jane Nelson (Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee), as well as our own Dr. Susan Curling (candidate for Representative, District 127), and Dr. John Zerwas (incumbent for re-election for Representative, District 28).
- Initiative to expand TSA business expertise
Notes from the ASA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, October 17-21, 2009Following the approval of the TSA House of Delegates, the TSA has executed an initiative to expand anesthesia business and administrative expertise on two key committees. In a new relationship with the Anesthesia Administrators of Texas (AAT), the TSA will benefit from volunteer consultant expertise provided by the AAT. For 2009-10, Marie Walton of Greater Houston Anesthesiology/iMed Group and Harry Hendrix of Capitol Anesthesiology will serve as the AAT consultants to the Committees of Economics and Governmental Affairs, respectively.
- The ASA has created the Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI). This is a monumental, game-changing initiative to create a database from clinical operative and perioperative patient data. Future uses for this database will advance our specialty by permitting a variety of outcomes-based, data-driven analyses. The AQI will go on-line with early participants in 2010.
- The ASA office in Park Ridge, Illinois recently completed the Organizational Improvement Initiative (OII) to restructure and expand the capabilities of the ASA’s business structure, in order to better serve the membership.
- The State of California became the 15th state to “Opt-Out” under the Medicare Conditions of Participation. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared his intent to allow California to opt-out of the patient-protecting federal requirement that physicians supervise nurse anesthetists.
- At the 2009 House of Delegates, Dr. John Zerwas was overwhelmingly supported, and ran unopposed in his successful re-election to the position of ASA Treasurer.
- Two members of our TSA Delegation have formally announced plans to seek ASA Office in October 2010. Dr. John Zerwas (Houston) is running for ASA First Vice-President, a position that leads to the ASA Presidency. Dr. Mary Dale Peterson (Corpus Christi) is running for ASA Assistant Treasurer. The TSA Board of Directors enthusiastically supports both Dr. Zerwas and Dr. Peterson.
That’s it for now. I look forward to your questions or comments. Feel free to email me at:
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