Year: 2018
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Alabama’s Physicians Contribute Billions to State Financial Health
MONTGOMERY – Alabama’s more than 8,700 patient care physicians fulfill a vital role in the state’s economy by supporting 101,770 jobs and generating $16.7 billion in economic activity, according to a new report released by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the American Medical Association. “Urban or rural, large group or solo…
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Keep the Medical Association in Your Facebook News Feed
Facebook changed its news feed algorithm to prioritize content from friends, family and groups so you are less likely to see public content from businesses, brands and news media now than before the first of the year. Facebook justified the change for “people’s well-being” and suggesting that businesses will have to work harder to get…
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FDA Classifies Kratom as Opioid
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially classified the plant kratom, originally seen as an opioid alternative, as an opioid itself, stating that compounds in kratom act like prescription-strength opioids. Found in Malaysia, the leaves of the kratom plant are traditionally crushed and made into a tea to treat pain as well as heroin…
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HIPAA Guidance for Mass Shootings and Other Tragic and Emergency Situations
In the aftermath of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, many health care organizations are revisiting their HIPAA policies and procedures to determine exactly what information they are allowed to share and to whom they may share information. FAMILY AND FRIENDS A health care entity may share a patient’s location, general condition…
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Bipartisan Budget Act Boosts Health Programs
In a rare show of bipartisanship for the mostly polarized 115th Congress, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 is officially one for the record books. The week leading up to the final vote was far from smooth with Sen. Nancy Pelosi impressively filibustering on the floor of the U.S. Senate for eight hours to Rep.…
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Physician Groups Issue Joint Statement in Support of Raising Alabama’s Legal Tobacco Age to 21
DOWNLOAD THE MEDIA RELEASE MONTGOMERY — The Medical Association of the State of Alabama, the Alabama Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Cardiology-Alabama Chapter, the Alabama Dermatology Society, and the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians have joined in support of legislation that would raise Alabama’s legal tobacco age from 19 to 21. “Research…
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ABMS Issues Statement about MOC Update
Following the Medical Association’s Annual Governmental Affairs Meeting in Washington earlier this week where Richard Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Board of Medical Specialties, was a guest speaker, ABMS issued a statement as an update on the progress of issues of concern to physicians about Maintenance of Certification. Late last year, frustrations…
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Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Venture into Health Care Industry
Three of the world’s leading companies — Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan — are teaming up to take on the health care industry. Amazon announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30, that it would be partnering with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan on an initiative to create an independent health care company for its employees with the hopes…
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Creating a World Where Every Person Matters with Michele Kong, M.D.
BIRMINGHAM — When Michele Kong was a little girl growing up in Malaysia, she knew the world was filled with both wonder and danger. She surprised herself and her family when she managed to kill a not-so-small python that slithered into their home. She laughs now remembering the incident, but she said someone had to…
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MACRA: Rolled Out and Still Rolling
Most physicians have, by this point, gained some familiarity with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The name of this law has appeared frequently in commentary over the past several years, and the changes it imposes are well on their way. However, many of the details concerning MACRA’s implementation—how it affects…