coding system and prevent any pay- ment denials or “takebacks” for lack of coding specificity during the first two years of any new coding system.
• Took a strong stance in support of private practice and fee-for-service payment models as important compo- nents of any new Medicare payment system.
• Called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to maintain hydroco- done combination products as Sched- ule III drugs under the Controlled Substances Act.
• Said AMA should seek legislation or regulation to require all electronic health record vendors to use “stan- dard and interoperable software tech- nology.”
• Stated that invasive pain manage- ment procedures “require physician- level training,” but physicians may delegate “certain technical aspects” of those procedures to “appropriately trained, licensed, or certified, creden- tialed non-physicians under direct and/or personal supervision.”
• Called for a reduction of the fixed in- terest rate on Stafford student loans.
• Recommended a ban on marketing high stimulant/caffeine drinks to people younger than 18.
• Supported federal funding of organ transplants for Medicaid patients.
• Revised AMA policy to state that ben- efits of routine neonatal male circum- cision outweigh the risks.
• Defeated a board recommendation to eliminate the interim meeting of the House of Delegates.
TMA hires Three-Sixty Advisory Group as consultant
The inauguration of the physician-led steering committee and the hiring of an experienced project consultant are signs of strong life in TMA’s new organization to deliver doctors the survival tools they need to compete in today’s health care marketplace, said Louis J. Goodman, PhD, executive vice president and chief executive officer (CEO).
Deaths
Melvin L. Bram, MD, 69; Amarillo; Albany Medical College, 1970; died May 17, 2013.
Prospero Jimenez Jr., MD, 90; Corpus Christi; The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 1946; died May 12, 2013.
Richard E. Leigh Jr., MD, 95; Bellville; The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 1942; died May 18, 2013.
Maxwell V. Parker, MD, 81; San Antonio; The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 1960; died March 23, 2013.
Fred L. Perez Jr., MD, 64; Edinburg; University of Monterrey, Mexico, 1977; died May 21, 2013.
Robert O. Phillips Jr., MD, 71; Dallas; University of Tennessee College of Medicine, 1965; died April 13, 2013.
Harry C. Powell Jr., MD, 87; Austin; University of Alabama School of Medicine, 1947; died June 6, 2013.
Vincent J. Privitera, MD, 84; Houston; The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 1966; died May 13, 2013.
Ahmad I. Qadri, MD, 50; Victoria; Dow Medical College, Paki- stan, 1986; died March 16, 2013.
August 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 11
Dr. Goodman announced the selec-
tion of Three-Sixty Advisory Group of Pasadena, Calif., as a consultant to man- age the processes involved in launching the TMA Physician Services Organiza- tion for Patient Care. “The Three-Sixty principals have sig-
nificant experience in accountable care organization development, collaborative care models, and building infrastructure to support physician practice manage- ment needs,” Dr. Goodman said. “With their help, we are well on our way to
issuing a request for information to ser- vice and software providers by July 8.” He praised Three-Sixty’s TMA team, including CEO John Nackel, PhD, and client service executive Aimee Sziklai.
“John Nackel is a well-known and influ- ential authority in the health care indus- try, and Aimee Sziklai brings significant experience in building infrastructure for payers and clinical information technol- ogy,” Dr. Goodman said. Dr. Nackel said he is excited about the opportunity to work with TMA’s Phy-
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