KMS guided by Principles of Health Care Reform

The Kansas Medical Society's advocacy efforts on health reform are guided by the Health Care Reform Principles which have been approved by our House of Delegates.

Those principles encourage health reform that builds on the strengths of the current system; favor using the power of individual responsibility, patient choice and market forces as preferable to a government controlled delivery system; protect the physician-patient relationship; strengthen the public programs that cover the indigent, aged and disabled; and promote quality, administrative simplification, delivery model innovation, and public education on the appropriate use of health resources, and the value of good nutrition, prevention and healthy lifestyles.

Swine flu confirmed in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently announced more confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine) flu involving patients in our state. KMS and KDHE strongly encourage all physicians become familiar with the information contained on the KDHE website, and with additional resources from the CDC regarding H1N1 flu. For more information, physicians may contact KDHE's Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317.

KMS elects new officers and addresses issues of importance to Kansas physicians

At its recent Annual Meeting, KMS elected new officers and installed Joe Davison, MD as President for 2009-2010. Watch the upcoming issue of our newsletter, Kansas Physician, for more details about the policy decisions endorsed by KMS during its House of Delegates meetings.

Red Flag regulations delayed by FTC

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced a delay in the implementation of the "red flag" regulations which were to go into effect on May 1, 2009. The American Medical Association has indicated they plan to use the time to "convince the FTC and Congress that physicians should not be subject to the rules."

KMS continues to work with our partner, KaMMCO, to refine a sample policy and basic guidance document. As soon as we learn of additional information regarding the required implementation of the regulations; we'll plan to make those documents available and provide you additional resources.

If have any questions about the meeting, please contact Ruth or call the KMS office at 785.235.2383 or 800.332.0156.