opinion

AMA advocacy is bringing positive changes to FTC actions

LETTER — Posted Sept. 10, 2012

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Regarding “FTC decision jeopardizes authority of medical boards, doctors say” (Column, Aug. 20): The AMA is spearheading efforts to combat overly aggressive advocacy and antitrust enforcement actions against physicians by the Federal Trade Commission. In addition to participating in the litigation against the FTC, AMA leadership has met directly with the FTC commissioners to make clear that the FTC does not have the clinical expertise to make judgments regarding the competency of health care professionals to perform medical procedures.

Since our meetings, FTC letters to state medical boards and legislators no longer include misleading clinical judgment, and disclaimers have been added, stating that “FTC staff are not experts in patient care or safety,” and do not offer advice on such matters. The FTC also has agreed to reach out to medical associations before drafting letters in the future and has said that meetings with the AMA led to changes in the language and tone of FTC advocacy letters.

While we are pleased with progress made to date, concerns remain that overzealous enforcement of antitrust laws can negatively impact the ability of state medical boards to regulate medicine and protect patient safety. The AMA will remain actively engaged to alleviate physician concerns and protect them from overreaching antitrust enforcement.

Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, President, American Medical Association

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/09/10/edlt0910.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn