REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PHYSICIAN DISTRIBUTION AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS
PDHCA Report 2-A-07
Subject: 1996 TMA Policy Review
Presented by: Woody V. Kageler, MD, Chair
Referred to: Reference Committee on Science and Education
House of Delegates policies included in the association's Policy Compendium are reviewed periodically for relevance and appropriateness. Policy 185.013, as shown below, was adopted in 1996 and reviewed by the Committee on Physician Distribution and Health Care Access at recent meetings. The policy relates to adding mid-level practitioners to the definition of primary health care practitioners as part of the eligibility process utilized by two federal designation programs, Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Area (MUA).
On initial review, the committee did not recognize a need to alter current policy on this topic. Accordingly, the committee submitted PDHCA Report 1-A-06 with the recommendation for retention of 185.013. Concerns were brought forward, however, at the Council on Medical Education meeting held at TexMed 06 that were sufficient to cause the committee to reconsider. As a result, PDHCA Report 1-A-06 was voluntarily withdrawn at the reference committee meeting. After re-evaluation, the committee concluded that the current practice, limiting the provider count to the physician workforce for HPSA and MUA designation purposes, is appropriate and should be maintained. On this basis, the committee recommends deletion of Policy 185.013 from the TMA Policy Compendium.
185.013 Health Professional Shortage and Medically Underserved Areas. Because the use of mid-level practitioners is expanding and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services does not count these practitioners toward calculation of full-time equivalent physician services, the Texas Medical Association supports the American Medical Association working with DHHS and other appropriate agencies to revise the calculation so that availability of mid-level practitioners within rural and other underserved areas is appropriately documented and more accurately represents the degree of health care availability or shortage within a community (Amended Res. 28Z, p 217A, A-96).
Recommendation: Delete.
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007
Last Updated On
July 07, 2010
Originally Published On
March 23, 2010