Each Patient Counts: Massachusetts Medical Society Weblog

Interim Meeting Concludes

The MMS House of Delegates concluded their Interim Meeting this afternoon after working through 34 reports and resolutions. Among their votes:

• They adopted a strong report expressing their concerns about the advent of retail-based health clinics in Massachusetts.
• They approved several measures to address the shortage of the primary care physicians in Massachusetts.
• They adopted several policies regarding the investigation of adverse medical events, and related billing issues.
• They approved a resolution supporting a ban on the sale of tobacco products in facilities that provide health care services.

The MMS news release is available here.

The text and disposition of resolutions will be made available to MMS members next week at www.massmed.org/interim08.

Interim Meeting Begins

The Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates began this morning with remarks from MMS President Bruce Auerbach, who called on delegates to be bold and creative in their solutions to health care's problems.

He said the public wants physicians to lead the development of health care solutions, and "we must not squander this opportunity."

He said, "People trust us with their lives, because we have earned it. They are now willing to trust us with the redesign of their health care system. Let's use the weekend to prove to them that we remain worthy of that trust."

The House of Delegates will vote on 34 resolutions tomorrow during the second day of its meeting. Today, reference committees heard testimony and comments on the resolutions, which cover topics in health policy, public health, and MMS administrative matters.

Read the full text of the speech.