the impact of social determinants in thwarting doctors’ efforts to improve health outcomes, among other concerns. Wichita Falls family physician Jona-
than Williams, MD, summed up those frustrations in his observation that the political debate over health system re- form misses a key point: The lack of progress on the issue is due largely to the fact that health reform is painted “mostly as a financial issue,” but for doc- tors, it boils down to individual patient relationships. “How do we fill that gap and put the primary emphasis on the clinical, and then translate that to the financial?” Dr. Williams asked.
Women’s health program gag rule defeated
Responding to strong opposition from TMA and state specialty societies, Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek, MD, pulled the gag clause from rules governing the state’s redesigned Women’s Health Program. As proposed by Commissioner Janek’s predecessor,
the rule would have prohibited a partici- pating physician from discussing abor- tion with a patient. The new rule still prohibits Women’s Health Program funds from going to a physician or provider who promotes or performs abortion, but the definition of “promote” was revised to exclude “neu- tral, factual information and nondirec- tive counseling.” TMA President Michael Speer, MD, praised the change. “It is very impor- tant that patients are able to trust that their doctor is giving the best medical advice for them — based on their medi- cal needs and nothing else,” he said. TMA remains concerned for the pro- gram’s long-term viability — and for the women it serves — as the state next month tries to run the program on its own without $35 million a year in fed- eral funding.
CME the easy way
TMA has taken physician continuing medical education (CME) to the next level through its robust, content-diverse,
and user-friendly online continuing edu- cation center. You may access on-demand courses and print your CME transcript instantly thanks to a state-of-the-art technology platform.
The TMA Education Center (http://
texmed.inreachce.com/) boasts more than 50 courses (many also offering credit in ethics) covering a vast array of topics from tobacco counseling to prac- tice management and physician leader- ship to Medicare compliance. The benefit of an online presence also means the ability for a more diverse offering of delivery methods. Physicians can take advantage of on-demand CME via webinars, podcasts, and print course downloads, or choose to order a hard- copy publication or attend a live seminar. The TMA Education Center offers convenient, one-stop access to the con- tinuing medical education Texas physi- cians need. Log in by using your TMA website username and password to auto- matically receive member pricing. Work on your terms, your time, and no matter where you are.
PBF helps physician families of all ages
“Thank you very much for your generous assistance in our time of need. Your kind- ness came as a welcome touch of warmth and caring.” — PBF recipient
For more than 50 years, the TMA Physi- cians Benevolent Fund (PBF) has helped Texas physicians and their families who need support as a consequence of pov- erty, infirmity, disability, accident, or other adversity. With your help, PBF will continue to take care of the family of medicine.
Physicians at the TMA Fall Conference got a preview of upcoming sessions of Congress and the Texas Legislature during the “Candidates With a Cure” panel discussion. Left to right are Ross Ramsey, executive editor of the Texas Tribune, moderator; State Sen. Bob Deuell, MD; Texas House of Representatives candidate J.D. Sheffield, DO; State Rep. John Zerwas, MD; State Rep. Charles Schwertner, MD; State Rep. Susan King; U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, MD; and Darren Whitehurst, TMA vice president for advocacy.
12 TEXAS MEDICINE December 2012
The fund helps recipients with rent or mortgage, utilities, health insurance, medical bills, clothing, and food. Some recipients are elderly and not practicing medicine, some are disabled or ill, and some are widowed and raising families. More than $3.4 million has been giv- en in assistance payments to more than 680 physicians and their families since
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