AMA Update

Emily Carroll, a senior attorney for the AMA’s Advocacy Resource Center, and George Cox, the AMA’s director of legislative counsel, share what physicians need to know about the No Surprises Act and how the AMA's advocacy team is working on behalf of physicians and patients as the Act evolves. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Guidance for implementation of the No Surprises Act: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/patient-support-advocacy/implementation-no-surprises-act Summary of the August final rule: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/ama-summary-nsa-final-rules.pdf Toolkit for physicians on disputing out-of-network payments: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/ama-nsa-idr-toolkit.pdf Stay up to date on all the latest advocacy news by subscribing to AMA Advocacy Update: https://www.ama-assn.org/advocacy-news

Today Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, MD, PhD, joins to discuss the latest trends and research in medicine from her vantage point as editor-in-chief of JAMA and the JAMA Network in Chicago. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine, and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses the rapid rise of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases overwhelming hospitals, as well as an update on monkeypox. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Rich Baron, MD, president and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine and ABIM Foundation, joins to discuss the importance of rebuilding trust in the health care system. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. For more information, visit: https://buildingtrust.org/

AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses the spike in flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID cases across the country. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Arash Harzand, MD, MBA, senior innovation fellow at the VA Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning in Atlanta, talks about digital transformation in health care and how it’s helping to fill critical gaps. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. AMA's "Return on Health" Research Framework is available here: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/amas-return-health-telehealth-framework-practices To access "The Playbook: Digital Healthcare Edition," visit: https://www.dimesociety.org/access-resources/the-playbooks/digital-healthcare-edition/

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, the AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, shares news from the latest ACIP meeting, including the newest COVID booster from Novavax, more reassuring data on the safety and value of COVID vaccines for pregnant people, their infants and children, and the inclusion of COVID vaccines in the Vaccines for Children Program. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses two new emerging subvariants: BQ. 1 and BQ1.1. Also covering the 'tripledemic' threat given cases of flu, COVID, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections are on the rise. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Elizabeth Harry, MD, senior medical director of well being at UCHealth in Aurora, Colo., joins to discuss the connection between high childcare stress and burnout among health care workers during the pandemic. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery

Today we dive into new research findings from a recent study on physician burnout with Christine Sinsky, MD, the AMA's vice president of professional satisfaction. Dr. Sinsky is one of the authors on the study that was published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings last month. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery For more information and to access the study by the AMA, Mayo Clinic and Stanford Medicine, visit: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/physician-burnout-rate-spikes-new-height

Today we discuss pressing public health issues and the role of physicians and the AMA in our public health response with Frederick Chen, MD, MPH, the AMA’s new chief health and science Officer. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

David Aizuss, MD, an ophthalmologist in Calabasas, Calif., and a member of the AMA Board of Trustees discusses the California Assembly Bill 2236—which would have allowed optometrists to perform advanced eye procedures, including surgery—and how AMA and state advocacy helped defeat it. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery

AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, shares details of the FDA's authorization for COVID boosters for kids 5 to 11, early Pfizer data on the bivalent booster and a study on long COVID, plus the latest on monkeypox and Ebola. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

In recognition of #HispanicHeritageMonth, Diana Ramos, MD, shares what her new role as California’s surgeon general means to her and how physicians' clinical experience can prepare them for leadership roles within government. She also discusses the first National Latino/Latina Physicians Day #NLPD and why it matters. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Email Dr. Ramos your health questions, concerns and community issues at [email protected].

AMA Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, shares a new study that shows why getting a COVID booster matters. Also covering the importance of the flu shot, including a new flu campaign and talking points for physicians, and what a CDC Health Advisory for the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda means to physicians and patients. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. #FluFOMO to highlight how getting vaccinated can help people avoid missing out on fun moments like spending time with family and friends. GetMyFluShot.org for more information on the flu.

Bobby Mukkamala, MD, an otolaryngologist in Michigan—and immediate past chair of the AMA Board of Trustees—joins today for the first of many “What I Wish I Knew in Medical School” conversations with physician leaders and medical experts. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. We want to hear from medical students! Record and submit your questions to help inform future “What I Wish I Knew in Medical School” episodes here: https://bit.ly/3CweAJ1 Join us tonight for AMA's webinar "Medical Student National Advocacy Week: How to communicate effectively with Congress" at 6 p.m. Eastern time. Register here: https://www.ama-assn.org/about/events/medical-student-national-advocacy-week-how-communicate-effectively-congress Get involved in #MedicalStudent National Advocacy Week here: https://www.ama-assn.org/about/events/2022-medical-student-national-advocacy-week

In March 2022, Ashish Jha, MD, MPH, joined the Biden Administration as the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator. The general internist physician and academic, who is on short-term leave as Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, spoke with American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger about the new COVID booster and managing COVID this fall and winter.

AMA's vice president of science, medicine and public health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH discusses the latest from the CDC on monkeypox treatments and universal masking guidelines for health care settings. Also covering new Omicron boosters and "most resistant variant" emerging in the UK. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Everything you need to know about the 2022-2023 flu season, including: types of flu vaccines available, when you should get vaccinated—as well as which shot you, adults over 65, and those with egg allergies should get. Sandra Fryhofer, MD, is AMA's liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

What physicians need to know about nutrition education both for patient care and self-care with Stephen Devries, MD, executive director of the nonprofit Gaples Institute and an adjunct associate professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Access "2022 Update: Nutrition Science for Health and Longevity: What Every Physician Needs to Know" via AMA Ed Hub™ here: https://edhub.ama-assn.org/gaples-institute-ed/provider-referrer/7893 To learn more about the Gaples Institute Nutrition and Lifestyle Education, visit https://edhub.ama-assn.org/gaples-institute-ed

September marks the AMA's #WomenInMedicineMonth. Today Sandra Fryhofer, MD, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup, discusses how she leads with purpose – this year’s theme. Dr. Fryhofer also serves as Chair of the AMA Board of Trustees. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery Celebrate #WIMMonth and get involved here: https://ama-assn.org/WomenMedicineMonth

AMA's vice president of science, medicine and public health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses bivalent vaccine availability—including Moderna shortages and timing on boosters for kids under 12. Also covering the latest from the CDC, including: findings from a new study on patient recovery from myocarditis after receiving mRNA COVID vaccines, plus a summary of recent changes to CDC guidance on infection prevention and control recommendations for health care personnel, as well as interim guidance for managing health care personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure to SARS-CoV-2. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

September marks the AMA's #WomenInMedicineMonth. Today Betty Chu, MD, MBA, senior vice president, associate chief clinical officer and chief quality officer at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, discusses how she leads with purpose – this year’s theme. Dr. Chu also serves on the AMA Council on Medical Service. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery Celebrate #WIMMonth and get involved here: https://ama-assn.org/WomenMedicineMonth

American Medical Association CXO and host, Todd Unger, discusses the AMA’s recent advocacy efforts in 3 key areas: #telehealth, prior authorization, and #Medicare payment with Jason Marino—the AMA’s director of congressional affairs in Washington D.C. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery Stay up to date on all the latest advocacy news by subscribing to AMA Advocacy Update: https://www.ama-assn.org/advocacy-news Interested in helping protect patient access to care? Check out the Physicians Grassroots Network here: https://physiciansgrassrootsnetwork.org/

September marks AMA's #WomenInMedicineMonth. Today Suja Mathew, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at Atlantic Health System, discusses how she leads with purpose – this year’s theme. Dr. Mathew is also a newly elected member of the AMA Council on Medical Education. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Celebrate #WIMMonth and get involved here: https://ama-assn.org/WomenMedicineMonth

AMA Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses preparing for flu season, changes to CDC's TPOXX guidance, as well as the latest data and findings from new physician burnout research study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery Read more about the AMA, Mayo Clinic, and Stanford Medicine research findings on physician burnout here: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/physician-burnout-rate-spikes-new-height

AMA President Jack Resneck Jr., MD, a practicing dermatologist and health care policy expert in San Francisco, discusses the latest advocacy efforts on Medicare physician payment reform. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. View "Characteristics of a Rational Medicare Payment System" PDF here: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/characteristics-rational-medicare-payment-principles.pdf Stay up to date on all the latest advocacy news by subscribing to AMA Advocacy Update: https://www.ama-assn.org/advocacy-news Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery

Laura Zimmermann, MD, Interim Division Chief of General Internal Medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, discusses a step-by-step approach for physicians to address social determinants of health in their practice. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Looking for more resources? To access the AMA STEPS Forward® toolkit (CME credit), visit: https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2702762 Watch the full AMA STEPS Forward® webinar on social determinants of health here: https://bit.ly/3BMnlyj

The new editor-in-chief of JAMA and the JAMA Network, Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, MD, PhD, discusses her transition from academic, physician-scientist to starting her new role at one of the most widely circulated general medical journals in the world. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Celebrate #WomenInMedicineMonth and learn more here: https://ama-assn.org/WomenMedicineMonth

AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, shares the latest CDC recommendations, research data, and study findings on: poliovirus in New York, HIV and monkeypox—as well as COVID hospitalization rates and the effectiveness of vaccinations and boosters during Omicron. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Paul DeChant, MD, MBA, one of the featured keynote speakers at the 2022 International Conference on Physician Health™, Oct. 13-15, in Orlando, Fla., shares six key drivers of physician burnout and how to address them. This year’s conference theme is “engaging organizations to achieve cultural change.” American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Registration for ICPH 2022 closes Sept. 22! Reserve your spot now: https://bit.ly/3N7cdP2

Bryan Batson, MD, CEO of Hattiesburg Clinic, in Hattiesburg, Miss., shares details from a new study that demonstrates the value of physician-led, team-based care. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Read more about Hattiesburg Clinic's "Targeting Value-based Care with Physician-led Care Teams”, here: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/scope-practice/amid-doctor-shortage-nps-and-pas-seemed-fix-data-s-nope Learn how the AMA is #FightingForDocs and access resources from the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, by visiting: https://www.ama-assn.org/recovery

Bivalent boosters authorized by FDA: the latest on Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccines for fall with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, chair, American Medical Association Board of Trustees and AMA liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Free COVID tests, vaccines and treatments could be ending soon. AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, also covers the continued decline in U.S. life expectancy and FDA's authorization of Moderna and Pfizer boosters for fall. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week to #StopSuicide, Christine Yu Moutier, MD, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in New York, joins to discuss dismantling the stigma around seeking mental health treatment. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Dial 9-8-8 if you or anyone you know needs help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the U.S. Register for AMA’s live webinar “Dismantling Stigma for All: Addressing Physician and Patient Mental Health and Suicide Risk” on Thursday, Sept. 8, at noon Central time, here: https://www.ama-assn.org/about/events/addressing-physician-and-patient-mental-health

The AMA Update podcast covers a range of health care topics affecting the lives of physicians and patients. Hear from physicians and experts on COVID-19, monkeypox, advocacy issues, scope of practice, and more. Because who’s doing the talking matters. Find all AMA podcasts at ama-assn.org/podcasts

Residency applicants start submitting MyERAS applications to programs on September 7th. Maya Hammoud, MD, an OB/GYN professor and Associate Chair of Education at the University of Michigan Medical School, discusses residency selection and how a new tool can help medical students find a residency program that best fits them. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Specialties interested in collaborating on a residency program Alignment Check Index (ACI) tool can email [email protected] for more information. To access FREIDA™ Alignment Check Index (ACI) tool, visit: https://freida.ama-assn.org/residency-alignment

Anita Ravi, MD, a family physician, and CEO and co-founder of the PurpLE Health Foundation in New York, is working to break the cycle of gender-based violence against women—join us to kick off Women in Medicine Month this September. Dr. Ravi is one of this year’s #WIMMonth AMA Inspiration Award honorees and the immediate past chair of the AMA Women Physicians Section. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Celebrate #WomenInMedicineMonth and get involved here: https://www.ama-assn.org/member-groups-sections/women-physicians/women-medicine-month For more information, visit: https://purplehealthfoundation.org/

Can kids go to school with monkeypox? Why is Moderna suing Pfizer? Is the government still mailing free COVID tests? AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, answers these questions and more. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

Aug. 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day. American Medical Association CXO, Todd Unger, is joined by Bobby Mukkamala, MD, immediate past chair of the AMA Board of Trustees and chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, to discuss the AMA’s advocacy work to help #EndOverdose. Also covering tangible actions physicians and policymakers can take now, before the end of the year, and in Congress and state legislatures across the United States – to help save lives and reduce harm. Visit https://end-overdose-epidemic.org for more information. Stay up to date on all the latest advocacy news by subscribing to AMA Advocacy Update: https://www.ama-assn.org/advocacy-news

For #CivicHealthMonth this August we discuss how voting influences health and why it’s important for physicians to get involved in voting advocacy. American Medical Association CXO and host, Todd Unger, is joined by Aliya Bhatia, executive director of Vot-ER in Washington, D.C., and Jasmin Eatman, an MD and PhD candidate at Emory in Atlanta—and Vot-ER intern. Visit Vot-ER.org now to get your badge and learn more!

Treating climate change as a public health crisis with Colin Cave, MD, the medical director of external affairs, government relations and community health for Northwest Permanente (NWP), the medical group for Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Ore. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

AMA's Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, shares news on the Novavax vaccine from the FDA—as well as updates on COVID boosters for fall, monkeypox vaccines, TPOXX treatments, and Dr. Anthony Fauci's announcement on stepping down from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts.

A special episode with Rebekah Bernard, MD, co-author of the book Patients at Risk: The Rise of the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant in Healthcare about scope creep and how it can affect patient care. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. To learn more about the AMA’s work to fight scope creep as a critical part of our Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, visit: ama-assn.org/recovery

L.J Tan, PhD, MS, chief policy and partnerships officer at Immunize.org (formerly Immunization Action Coalition, or IAC), and the co-chair of the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit, discusses the importance of adult immunizations and "community immunity" in both the future of primary care, as well as preventing future pandemics. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Visit the CDC website for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html #NationalImmunizationAwarenessMonth #ivax2Protect

Aaron Carroll, MD, MS, a distinguished professor of pediatrics, chief health officer at Indiana University in Indianapolis—and good friend of the show —discusses what parents and physicians need to know as kids head back to school this fall. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. NOTE: this episode was recorded prior to the release of the CDC's updated COVID-19 guidelines on 8/11/2022. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html for more information.

AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, walks through the updated CDC COVID-19 Guidance, including what's changed, what hasn't, and what it means for kids headed back to school during National Immunization Awareness Month this August. #ivax2Protect Plus, FDA has authorized a plan for using a partial dose of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine via intradermal injection to extend supply. This also allows use of Jynneos to prevent monkeypox in kids under 18. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Visit AMA's monkeypox resource center here: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/monkeypox-resource-center

Nancy Gin, MD, executive vice president and chief quality officer at the Permanente Federation, as well as regional medical director of quality and analysis at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group discusses how the COVID pandemic created a blueprint for accelerating innovation—and how we can keep that momentum going long term. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Read "The Intersection of Quality and Research in the Era of COVID-19: A Virtuous Cycle": https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/22.093

AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia JD, MPH, covers monkeypox cases, vaccines, Tecovirimat used for treatment, as well as two Biden administration reports and support services for Americans with long haul COVID. American Medical Association CXO Todd Unger hosts. Visit https://www.covid.gov/longcovid for federal services and supports for people experiencing longer term impacts of COVID-19. Access guidance and descriptors for new monkeypox CPT codes here: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/orthopoxvirus-and-monkeypox-coding-guidance

Monkeypox questions on transmission, testing, treatment, prevention, personal protective equipment (PPE) and more answered by Sandra Fryhofer, MD, Chair, American Medical Association Board of Trustees and AMA liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. AMA CXO Todd Unger hosts. Monkeypox resources available here: https://www.ama-assn.org/topics/monkeypox