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Editor's Note: Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not publish next Friday, Nov. 23. Our next edition will be published on Friday, Nov. 30.
MMS News & Announcements
Medical Marijuana: Considerations for Physicians
The passage last week of Question 3, "Medical Use of Marijuana," has raised many questions about the rights and responsibilities of Massachusetts physicians under the new law. The state has 120 days to develop and issue regulations on the law, so we are unable to answer many questions at this time. However, some issues are relatively clear. Read more.
Service Interruption This Weekend for MMS Member Email Subscribers
On Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, the MMS member email service and the MMS website and other online services will be out of service, to allow us to perform very important maintenance procedures on our system.
MMS email service subscribers will not be able to send or retrieve new messages during this time period. However, messages that were opened previously can be reviewed. All new messages received during this maintenance period will be held in a queue, and they will be delivered after the maintenance period is completed. This will also affect the New England Journal of Medicine and Journal Watch websites.
We regret any inconvenience that this causes.
AMA Approves Principles Supporting Employed Physicians
At its Interim Meeting this week, the AMA adopted new guiding principles for physicians entering into employment and contractual arrangements. The guiding principles (.pdf) can be downloaded here.
"The [principles] provide a broad framework to help guide physicians and their employers as they collaborate to provide safe, high-quality and cost-effective patient care," AMA Trustee Joseph P. Annis, M.D., said in a news release.
The AMA's House of Delegates also passed policies resolving to advocate for the elimination of ICD-10 requirements and the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, and passed a set of principles (.pdf) to optimize physician leadership of health care teams. Delegates also voted to support mandatory flu vaccination for health care workers who have direct contact with patients in long-term-care settings.
Related: Updated MMS Model Physician Employment Contract (For MMS members only)
Interim Meeting 2012: HOD Online Testimony Open Through Dec. 1
In preparation for the MMS Interim Meeting Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, HOD Online Testimony remains opens through 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 1. This online option supplements traditional onsite reference committee hearings. Complete instructions and terms of use are posted, along with a resource library and links to other important Interim Meeting events. Visit the HOD community site today at www.massmed.org/HODcommunity.
The MMS Alliance will be hosting a holiday boutique on both days of the Interim Meeting. Delegates and Guests will have the opportunity to purchase handmade jams, jewelry, artwork, and other items. All proceeds from the holiday boutique will benefit the MMS and Alliance Charitable Foundation. For more information on all 2012 Interim Meeting events and to register, please visit www.massmed.org/interim2012
MMS Annual Awards Nomination Deadline: December 10
Nomination applications for the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service, Award for Distinguished Service to the Massachusetts Medical Society, Grant V. Rodkey, M.D., Award, Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health, and the Committee on History Essay Award must be received by December 10. Click here for more information on these and other MMS awards, or to obtain a nomination application.
Benefit Buzz: Two Free Months of Online Data Backup Storage
VaultLogix has expanded their special savings offer for MMS members. Sign a 12 month agreement for VaultLogix Advantage online data backup storage software by December 31, 2012 and receive 2 months for free. Learn more about VaultLogix, their services and special offer.
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
2012 Annual Oration: Working Together - From Guild to Enterprise
Friday, November 30, 2012, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ethics Forum: Serving Two Masters - What Practicing Cost-Conscious Medicine Means for Patient Care and the Public Trust
Friday, November 30, 2012, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
8th Annual Women's Cardiac Health Conference
Friday, February 1, 2013, 8:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2302, x7306 for more information.
Preventing Falls in Older Patients: A Provider Tool Kit WEBINAR
Wednesday, February 6, 2013, noon to 1:30 p.m., via live webinar. Call (800) 322-2302, ext. 7306 for more information.
The Impact of Effective Communication on Patients, Colleagues, and Metrics
Friday, February 8, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Call (800) 322-2302, ext. 7306 for more information.
How to Prepare for ACOs,
Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Call (800) 322-2302, ext. 7306 for more information.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Online CME Activities
* Also available in print. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit www.massmed.org/cme.
Contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
This Week in Health Care
New Mass. Health Policy Commission Begins Work
The 11-member board will play an unprecedented role in the state's health care market. The commission will set a health care spending goal for the state and track providers' progress in staying within the target.
Mass. Biz Leaders: Rein in Health Care Costs
Business leaders at the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans annual meeting blasted out-of-control health-care spending that gobbles up more than 40 percent of the state budget and laid out plans to hold down costs.
Sec. Bigby: Meningitis Outbreak Was Preventable
A WBUR interview with Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby shortly before she testified at a hearing on the nationwide meningitis outbreak caused by drugs from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham. More coverage: FDA seeks more authority amid meningitis outbreak.
Report Warns of Drug Use in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, more overweight children are losing weight and violent crime has dipped, but much remains to be done in those and other health-related concerns, including drug abuse, according to the Massachusetts Health Council, which released its seventh statewide wellness report this week. Download the full report here (.pdf)
"Pharm Parties" Leading Western Massachusetts Teens to Misuse Prescription Drugs
Drug use among young people across Western Massachusetts begins as early as middle school when they begin using and abusing pharmaceutical drugs - oxycodone, hydrocodone, Percocet, and Ritalin, police and medical experts say.
Health Care Proxy Day is Friday, November 23
The day after Thanksgiving is Health Care Proxy Day. Physicians are urged to remind patients to gather with loved ones and discuss the type of medical care they would want if they became incapacitated. The Massachusetts Medical Society provides a healthcare proxy form and step-by-step instructions on completing it. The form can be found at www.healthcareproxy.org.
