The AMA House of Delegates at their annual meeting June 13th – 17th in Chicago will be debating important issues in medicine including health care reform and re-imbursement.
But among those topics is a resolution by the delegates from New Jersey for the AMA to ask the ACCME to suspend the proposed fee increases on state medical societies.
Whereas, Physicians in New Jersey and throughout the United States are experiencing major economic challenges; and
Whereas, Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are also experiencing economic challenges, and many in New Jersey and elsewhere are closing or filing for bankruptcy; and
Whereas, Continuing medical education (CME) is required for licensure in New Jersey, and the Medical Society of New Jersey, through its Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Program, is providing a crucial means for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to provide the necessary AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™; and
Whereas, The Medical Society of New Jersey currently accredits 44 healthcare organizations in New Jersey as CME providers; and
Whereas, As noted in their letter of October 27, 2008 and memo of October 30, 2008, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has announced significantly increased fees for accreditation; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association strongly urge the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to reconsider the proposed fee increase (Directive to Take Action); and be it further
RESOLVED, That, if the ACCME refuses to reconsider the proposed fee increase, our AMA investigate and recommend ways by which physicians may receive appropriate, accredited continuing medical education other than through ACCME-accredited activities. (Directive to Take Action)
The ACCME needs to consider this request seriously as the fee increases on state societies could have drastic effects on the delivery of CME for those states.
This resolution also serves as a reminder to those who call for the end of commercial support of CME, to consider the economic hardships that a no support policy would cause even relatively wealthy states like New Jersey.