Congratulations to the Newest CAEs

Rebecca Brandt, CAE
American Association of Medical Society Executives

Tanya Tolpegin, CAE
Society for Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

H1N1 Virus Declared Stable

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief declared the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) to be currently stable, yet as with all influenza viruses, is prone to mutation.

To read more, click here.

To view the AAMSE H1N1 tracking page, click here

Few Primary Care Physicians Can Unhinge Health Care Reform

As health care reform becomes the focus of not only the health care community, but the public at large, there is undeniable evidence that the number of primary care physicians in the United States would not be able to meet the demand of an influx of the currently 47 million uninsured Americans. A recent article in the Washington Post discusses the reasons - and possible solutions - for this disparity.

Click here to read the full article.

Poll Finds Public Opinion On Health Reform Stable, but Pliable

As the debate over health reform options heats up at the federal level, the June Kaiser Health Tracking Poll has found that the majority (61%) of Americans continue to believe health reform is important issue that needs to be addressed.

Although many of the reforms, such as employer mandates (69%), individual mandates (71%), and a public plan option (65-67% depending on wording), being considered have strong support, only 41% of those polled are willing to pay more for health reform.

For more information and a complete analysis of the results click here.

Full Text & Commentary of Pres. Obama's Speech to the AMA

President Obama reiterated his commitment to health care reform in front of the American Medical Association this afternoon, saying:

"health care reform is the single most important thing we can do for America's long-term fiscal health."

President Obama touched on many topics, including electronic medical records, medical liability reform and a focus on preventive care. Whatever reforms are eventually put into place, Obama stated:

"no matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period. If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what. My view is that health care reform should be guided by a simple principle: fix what's broken and build on what works."

For more information:

Full Text of President Obama's Speech - Chicago Tribune

Video of President Obama's Speech - C-Span

Roundup of the latest commentary on President Obama's Speech:

AMA's Press Conference Response - Wall Street Journal Health Care Blog

Audio of AMA's Press Conference - C-Span

Obama Tries to Woo Doctors on Health Care - Helene Cooper, The New York Times

Health-Care’s Fate May Be Shaped by Party Elders - Albert Hunt, Bloomberg

Naive, Hypocritical and Dishonest - Robert Samuelson, Real Clear Politics

Repeat the Question - Stanley B. Greenberg, The New Republic

Alternatives to Government Health Takeover - Gov. Mark Sanford and Dr. Scott W. Atlas, The Washington Times

Obama Wants to 'Explore' Malpractice Reform - Sam Youngman, The Hill

C-SPAN to Broadcast Live Obama Address to AMA

C-SPAN is offering a free live video feed of President Obama's address to the AMA at 11:15 a.m. Central Time today.

Click here to view the feed.

New Limits on Federal Lobbying Posted

In a White House blog, Norm Eisen, special counsel to the President for ethics and government reform, gave an update on the Memorandum on Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds (March 30), including that the administration had decided to "make [the regulations] even tougher on special interests and more focused on merits-based decision making."

To read the proposed reforms, click here.