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Obama Still Wants Health System Reform
The Democrats' loss of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate has placed health system reform in question. President Obama says he is still committed to reform, but reports out of Washington say he may try to pass smaller, less-controversial reform legislation. (Jan. 28, 2009)
Medicare Fee Schedule Still Stings
Congress delayed for two months the 21.2-percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians that was supposed to take effect Jan. 1, but other elements of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2010 Physician Fee Schedule still affect your practice. More... (Jan. 13, 2009).
TMA's Health System Reform Principles
Your Texas Medical Association will not sit and watch as Congress and the Obama administration develop their plans to reform the nation's health care system. Acting at the direction of the TMA House of Delegates, the TMA Select Committee on Health System Reform has developed guiding principles the association will follow as it makes Texas physicians' voices heard in Washington.
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FAQs
Answers to the governmental affairs questions most commonly asked of TMA.
Court Cases
Check out one of the latest court cases TMA is working on to protect your practice, your patients, and reimbursements. For example, TMA joined other state medical associations and individuals in an antiracketeering (RICO) class-action lawsuit alleging that insurers engaged in racketeering by maintaining claims processing practices and systems that lowered physician reimbursement.
Get Involved
When medicine speaks up – legislators listen. Your actions have made a huge difference since 2003 when historic tort reforms and a tough prompt pay bill were passed. In 2007, your involvement helped to preserve tort reform legislation, reduce our uninsured population, improve our public health infrastructure and reform the health insurance industry.
Professional Liability Insurance Reform
In 2003 the Texas Legislature approved House Bill 4, the most comprehensive tort reform legislation that any state has ever passed. The centerpiece of that bill was a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages for all physicians in a case, the single most effective known cure for health care lawsuit abuse. Stay abreast of the latest developments in health care tort reform.
Rural Health
Stay informed on the latest issues and governmental laws, regulations, and activities which have an impact on the practice of medicine in rural areas.
Texas Legislature
At the onset of the 2007 legislative session, TMA argued that lawmakers could no longer ignore the growing and alarming numbers of uninsured children and adults in Texas. The cost to care for the uninsured was fast becoming a huge burden for many communities. TMA strongly advocated that steps be taken to reduce Texas’ uninsured population, ensure patients had access to a medical home and to improve the health and wellness of children and adults. More…
TEXPAC
The Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) is the political arm of TMA. It's the largest bipartisan political action committee in the state and ranks first in size among other state medical association PACs. If you haven't jointed TEXPAC its not too late to get involved.
TMA Advocacy in Agencies
Once a bill passes the Texas Legislature or U.S. Congress, TMA stays on top of many state and federal agencies to make sure what they do helps to improve the access and health of Texans. See how TMA works for you with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the agencies that run Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and workers' compensation.
TMA Grassroots Action Center
Do you want to weigh in on the critical issues facing medicine during the legislative session? Well, writing, e-mailing, calling, or visiting your state or U.S. representative or senator is easy. Deliver your message through TMA Grassroots Action Center to make sure that all of your communications efforts with lawmakers are successful.
U.S. Congress
TMA's top issues in Washington right now are Medicaid and Medicare funding. If Congress decides to cut Medicaid and Medicare spending again in 2005 it will have a grave impact on Texas. You can also monitor the issues the American Medical Association is aggressively working on to protect medicine.
Last Published: 1/28/2010 Print this page
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