AMA discussion seeks to improve veterans affairs, stop opioid abuse. | Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com
+ Regulatory
Jamie Barrand | Nov 28, 2015

AMA discussion seeks to improve veterans affairs, stop opioid abuse

At a recent American Medical Association (AMA) interim meeting, members discussed the best ways to move forward with the Meaningful Use (MU) Program, which deals with the electronic collection and maintenance of health records; paramedic training for returning veterans; and ways to quell the rising problem of opioid abuse.

"The AMA adopted new policy that seeks revisions to quality standards and MU requirements to make them more streamlined, usable and less burdensome," AMA Immediate Past Chair Dr. Barbara McAneny said. "The AMA also adopted new policy that would enhance its efforts to accelerate the development and adoption of universal and enforceable electronic health record (EHR) interoperability standards for all vendors before the implementation of the Medicare Incentive Based Payment (MIPs)."

At the meeting, the AMA passed the Support for Veterans to Paramedics Transition Act of 2015.

"The AMA adopted policy calling for support of federal, bi-partisan legislation that would expedite and streamline paramedic training for returning veterans who have already received emergency medical training while in the military," Dr. David Barbe, AMA board member, said. “The men and women who serve in our nation’s military as medics and corpsmen receive excellent training that should translate into work as paramedics as soon as possible upon their return to the civilian workforce. Requiring these skilled service men and women to go through redundant, entry-level training is costly, timely and undervalues the relevant experience they’ve already received."

Further, the AMA adopted policy to develop model state legislation to boost physicians' registration and use of state-based prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP).

“The AMA is committed to continuing its work with the administration and Congress, as well as state leaders on efforts that will modernize and fully fund PDMPs,” Dr. Patrice Harris, AMA board member, said.

The meeting concluded with a discussion about present laws that block the Department of Veterans Affairs from covering in vitro fertilization (IVF) costs for veterans -- while active duty members have access to reproductive treatments and services.

At the meeting, the AMA passed a measure to eradicate this ban.

"If and when a veteran and his or her partner feel ready to pursue their dream of becoming parents, we want to ensure that they have access to the reproductive health care services they need and deserve,” Barbe said. “This policy aligns well with our existing, extensive policies that support all approaches that would increase the flexibility of the Veterans Health Administration to ensure veterans have improved access to quality health care coverage and services."

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