A Deadly Milestone, and Court Ruling Might Revoke People’s Insurance

Oct. 10, 2014   

TMA Magazine Covers ACA Insurance Battles, Tobacco Report Anniversary, In-House Company Doctors, and Sunset Review Shining on Health Agencies

The 50th anniversary of a landmark report calling tobacco a killer although millions have died since; court battles determining whether countless government-insured patients will have to give back money they received to pay for it; a new kind of company doctor; and legislative review of Texas’ health agencies highlight this month’s Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Texas Medicine magazine. Texas Medicine is the association’s official publication. Here’s a summary of this month’s articles:

Tobacco Dangers — 50 Years of Progress Threatened
In the 50 years since the U.S. surgeon general’s first report demonizing tobacco use as deadly, more than 20 million people have died smoking-related deaths. (Ironically, many on the surgeon general’s committee smoked, too.) “Enough is enough,” said Acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak, MD, at the White House in January. Texas’ health commissioner said more Texans die annually from tobacco use than from alcohol, car accidents, fires, AIDS, heroin, cocaine, and murder combined. Still, officials have a goal — for the next generation to be smoke-free.

Big tobacco outspends the public health community’s messages against its use. And electronic cigarette use (and advertising) is growing, amid questions whether it will lead to a new generation of smokers. Following newly adopted policy, TMA plans to urge the 2015 Texas Legislature to ban selling e-cigarettes to minors.

Ruling Could Yield Chaos: D.C. Judges’ Decision Means Premium Hike for Texas  
Conflicting court rulings could determine whether many Texas patients can afford Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance. A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled, essentially, that any Texan who received ACA insurance subsidies (to help pay premiums if he or she qualifies for help) might have to return them. However, a different U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the current use of premium subsidies for those patients is acceptable. The U.S. Supreme Court likely will decide. Potential losers include patients, who might lose assistance to help them pay for their insurance, and physicians, who cared for the patients but ultimately might get stuck with unpaid medical bills for that care.

Will the Sun Rise? Health Agencies Undergo Wholesale Review
Texas state agencies overseeing health care undergo legislative “sunset” review in the upcoming session. What scrutiny do they face? What changes will legislators require? While all state agencies are subject to review every 12 years, TMA physicians insist protecting Texans’ health be a top goal of any potential agency changes.

The New Company Doctor: Worksite Primary Care Gains Popularity   
Imagine suddenly feeling ill at work but being able to visit a physician on site. Employers are beginning to establish worksite wellness clinics staffed by physicians under contract with doctor organizations, in effort to trim health care costs and reduce employee absences. “Primary care is a valuable thing. These companies realize the value,” said Travis Bias, DO, who recently began caring for patients under this practice model. “It’s great for patients and for the physician.” Patients there have easier access to his care. And he also likes it because he can conduct regular patient screenings and physicals, and teach patients about staying healthy. 

“It's more focused on education, which is the reason I went into family medicine in the first place,” Dr. Bias said.

Please visit the TMA website to start reading these articles and more. 

 

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 47,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 112 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

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Contact: Pam Udall
phone: (512) 370-1382
cell: (512) 413-6807
Pam Udall

Brent Annear
phone: (512) 370-1381
cell: (512) 656-7320
Brent Annear

Last Updated On

March 16, 2018

Originally Published On

October 10, 2014

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