ACOFP President

By Jan D. Zieren, DO, MPH, FACOFP dist.
April 1, 2009

ACOFP Testifies at TCOM Hearing
ACOFP Governor Dr. Rodney Wiseman, from Whitehouse, Texas, was one of 28 people given three minutes of public testimony at a March 25 hearing regarding the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine's ongoing exploration of whether to offer the MD degree.

Dr. Wiseman's comments in strong opposition to TCOM offering the MD degree were based on the resolution passed on March 4, 2009 by the ACOFP Congress of Delegates that calls on TCOM to preserve the integrity of the DO degree and maintain TCOM as an exclusively osteopathic institution. His testimony clearly demonstrates that osteopathic graduates enter primary care specialties at a significantly higher rate than allopathic graduates.

The UNTHSC Board is likely to vote on the proposal in November 2009; however, the law governing this matter cannot be changed until the Texas legislature convenes again in 2011.

House Continues Health Care Reform Hearings
On March 24, the U.S. House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on "Improving Access to Care." The hearing was the third in a series of health care hearings entitled, "Making Health Care Work for American Families." Members of the Subcommittee took this chance to examine racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in access to health care, and the role the healthcare workforce plays in addressing these disparities. Particular emphasis was placed on the primary care and nursing workforce shortages. Members also discussed the role of Medicare and Medicaid in addressing workforce shortages.

In opening remarks, Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) stated that in addition to providing universal coverage for all Americans, Congress must work to eliminate disparities in the health care system, ensure the future of the health care workforce, and make prevention a national priority. Pallone believes that existing programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Title VII, Title VII and the National Health Service Corps, should be strengthened. However, at the same time, new avenues to reduce disparities and expand the workforce should be explored.

Rep. Henry Waxman, Chairman of the full House Energy and Commerce committee agreed with Pallone. He believes that coverage for the uninsured must be provided, and legislation must "address the barriers to access that insurance coverage by itself can't fix."

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Ranking Member of the full House Energy and Commerce, noted that expanding physician-owned hospitals as a way to increase access to care for patients given their consistency in demonstrating high quality of care and high patient satisfaction.

Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA), Subcommittee ranking member, stressed that any large scale health care reform package should include "significant medical liability reform provisions", a belief echoed by other Republicans on the Subcommittee. Rep. Diane DeGette (D-CO) countered stating there is no evidence that a cap on non-compensatory damages would reduce the cost of medical care.

Note from the Auxiliary President - Patricia Molnar
"On behalf of the Auxiliary to ACOFP, it is my pleasure to thank you for your support by attending the Capitol Steps performance and purchasing raffle tickets. We especially want to thank those who generously donated sponsorships, silent auction items and raffle prizes for the fundraising event. We hope you had an enjoyable evening with family and friends of the ACOFP.

"Today, our mission has never been more important. Every resident and student program requires support and this is why we reach out to you for a helping hand so we can accomplish our mission.

"The Auxiliary Executive Board and I are looking forward to another productive year. I hope that you will remember the Auxiliary when paying your dues. We are a dedicated group who are interested in the promotion of Family Medicine in the Osteopathic Profession. This is another way you will be helping the Auxiliary so we can continue giving scholarships to our osteopathic students."

Sign Up for ACOFP's Physician Expert Network
With the Physician Expert Network, ACOFP members can designate their specialty area of expertise, making themselves available to submit articles to the OFP News; serve as speakers at national and state meetings and be an industry resource for your association. ACOFP developed this online Physician Expert Network for our state societies to use as a resource for presenters at state conventions and/or authors for newsletters.

We are very proud of the wealth of expertise accumulated by ACOFP members and invite you to add your name to the roster and turn to the roster when planning your upcoming CME meetings. Log in at ACOFP.ORG and select My Expert Profile or request a roster of the Physician Experts in a certain specialty.

Back to Campus
VCOM ACOFP Student Chapter President Thaddeus M. Pajak had the opportunity to participate in a successful health fair organized by the VCOM Hispanic Medical Community Outreach. Led by Dean Dixie Tooke Rawlins, DO, FACOFP, students were able to provide health screenings and health information to individuals who may not otherwise have the resources to care for their well being. The health fair included pediatric screenings, diabetic screenings, Hypertension screenings, Total Cholesterol screenings, nutrition information, and Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy. Patients were very grateful to have their total cholesterol checked. Those who had high total cholesterol levels were counseled (via a translator) on diet and lifestyle modifications, in addition they were provided with the necessary information on how to get to the local free clinic to have a physician follow up with their medical needs. Students felt privileged working and communicating with the underserved of our community.

Make your opinions known! Send an email to me and ACOFP. Share your thoughts, make comments, and tell us what you have been doing in regards to osteopathic family medicine.

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