AMA UPDATE
AMA Pursues 5-Point Strategy to Help Physicians Better Serve Patients
BY SCOTT FERGUSON , MD AMA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
5-POINT STRATEGY
As the U . S . recovers from the most severe public health crisis in generations , the American Medical Association is pursuing a five-point strategy to help improve the working environment for physicians so that we can deliver the very best care to our patients .
Physicians took care of this nation throughout the pandemic . It ’ s time the nation renews its commitment to us .
This is why we ’ ve introduced the AMA ’ s Recovery Plan for America ’ s Physicians . Just as the AMA supported physicians throughout the pandemic by securing billions of dollars to protect private practices and advance telehealth while enabling investments in vaccines and therapeutics , we are wholly committed to rebuilding and recharging our health system to make it function more effectively for physicians , our staffs , and , most importantly , our patients .
THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE AMA RECOVERY PLAN FOR AMERICA ’ S PHYSICIANS ARE :
Bolstering TELEHEALTH to maintain coverage and payment ;
REFORMING MEDICARE PAYMENT to promote thriving physician practices and innovation ;
Stopping SCOPE CREEP that threatens patient safety ;
Fixing PRIOR AUTHORIZATION to reduce the burden on practices and minimize care delays for patients ; and
Reducing PHYSICIAN BURNOUT and addressing the stigma around mental health .
80 THE JOURNAL OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL SOCIETY