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CONTACT:

Chester A. Speed, J.D., LL.M.
(703) 838-0033 ext. 364
cspeed@amga.org

22 January 2009

AMGA Unveils Healthcare Reform Priorities

ALEXANDRIA, VA-With the advent of the new Administration and the 111th Congress, the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) today announced its healthcare reform principles. Beginning with a call for universal access to health care, AMGA's priorities focus on systemic changes to improve the quality of health care for America's patients.

The document detailing the reform ideas, approved by AMGA's Board of Directors, was made public by Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, AMGA's President and Chief Executive Officer, who commented, "AMGA looks forward to working with the new Administration and Congress to make necessary reforms and improvements in our healthcare system; there is much to be done. While undertaking such thoroughgoing reform will be challenging in these difficult economic times, maintaining our current system will have an even greater cost, in terms not only of finance, but of quality patient care."

AMGA's reform priorities focus on improving health care for America's patients and highlight several practices commonly found in the model of healthcare delivery practiced by multispecialty medical groups and other organized systems of care. Other recommendations are broadly based and center on the restructuring of reimbursement, delivery mode, tort reform, prevention and wellness, and other issues. Multispecialty medical groups provide comprehensive and coordinated care through investments in supporting infrastructure and a broad scope of services, grounded in a philosophy of accountable healthcare delivery. The key points contained in the document are:

All Americans Should Have Access to Health Care
Changes among all payers will be necessary.
Delivery System Reform
The healthcare delivery system must be transformed from a fragmented non-system to an organized system of care.
Multispecialty Medical Groups/Organized Systems of Care
The multispecialty medical group and organized systems of care delivery model should be supported as a matter of national policy.
Community-Based Accountability for Healthcare Services
Those who deliver health care should be accountable for their services to the communities served.
Shift Payments from Volume to Value
The healthcare reimbursement system must shift from pay-for-volume to pay-for-value.
Incentives
Incentives should be in place to encourage coordinated care and are needed to expand health information technology.
Professional Liability (Medical Malpractice) Reform
Professional liability (medical malpractice) reform must be a component of healthcare reform.
Comparative Effectiveness
Comparative effectiveness must be a component of healthcare reform.
Prevention and Wellness
Preventive measures and wellness practices should be adopted to address chronic disease and obesity.
Enhancing the Healthcare Workforce
Increase numbers, expand loans and grants, and address payment inequities.
Transparency in Business Relationships
Those with involvement in patient care should make public their significant financial, ownership, or similar relationships.

The full text of AMGA's reform priorities may be accessed by clicking here.

The American Medical Group Association is an association that represents medical groups, including some of the nation's largest, most prestigious medical practices, independent practice associations, and integrated healthcare delivery systems. AMGA improves health care for patients by supporting multispecialty medical groups and other organized systems of care. The members of AMGA deliver health care to more than 95 million patients in 47 states. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for medical groups providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs and publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. www.amga.org

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