by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO

We DO...National Osteopathic Governance

This week marks the 99^th meeting of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) House of Delegates (HOD) in Chicago, IL.  Pennsylvania has 46 delegate seats at the HOD.  While there, we will review current and past policy of the AOA, as well as discuss and debate future policy as it pertains to the ever-changing world of healthcare and medicine.  The meeting promises passionate advocacy and even some politics as we face a new era of what it means to be an osteopathic physician – how we define our uniqueness and how we interact with others in the healthcare arena.

Not only do we have one of the largest delegations, we are well represented on the Reference Committees.  I have the privilege of serving as the Chair of the Public Affairs Committee and our President-elect, Gene Battistella, DO will serve as Vice Chair of the Professional Affairs Committee.  Our other committee representatives include:

• Carol Bowes-Lawlor, DO – Professional Affairs Committee
• Donna Delfin, DO – AdHoc Committee
• Darlene Ann Dunay, DO – Credential Committee
• Jeffery Dunkelberger, DO – Rules and Order of Business Committee
• Richard E. Johnson, DO – Constitution and Bylaws Committee
• Jennifer Lorine, DO – Educational Affairs Committee
• Joseph Zawisza, DO – Joint BOT/House Budget Review Committee

Pennsylvania will continue to be a strong advocate for maintaining our osteopathic principles and philosophy while strengthening our distinctive voice in medical education, post-graduate education, and in the practice of medicine. 

Along with my fellow delegates and alternates, I am proud to serve the osteopathic profession and to represent our great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

2019 AOA House of Delegates

Something is different. Something is definitely different. Walking into the AOA House of Delegates session this morning, I am greeted by Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s “Welcome to the Show”. I thought it was a nod to folks like me who grew up on this “kind” of music. Then Flo Rida started belting out “My House” which was a definite nod to the osteopathic physicians under age 45 (almost 50 percent of the DO population). Then, as with every HOD I’ve been privileged to attend these past 11 years, the Emerald Society walked in our country’s colors to the beautiful sound of Chicago’s bagpipers, this being the final nod to tradition.

Something is definitely different this year and it’s not just the change in AOA staff leadership, which most agree is very welcomed. The difference… a sense of hope. Hope that decisions are made transparently. Hope that the profession will stand strong to ensure that osteopathic principles and practices will stay. Hope that the AOA staff team returns to a service and servant mindset. And it all starts today.

#POMADelegates will be sharing actions and activities on social media throughout the weekend. We’ll bring you up to date on policy decisions that impact the osteopathic profession. We have 48 delegates, alternates and students representing Pennsylvania this weekend, led by Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO, Delegation Chair and POMA President.

Plug into our social media and see where we go. And as always, thank you for all that you DO!

AOA Meeting of Bureau of State Government Affairs

POMA members and staff attended the AOA meeting on government affairs that was held prior to today’s opening of the AOA House of Delegates. An update was provided by AOA staff on Congressional legislative and regulatory efforts that include balance billing and prior authorization. There is some overlap with POMA state government affairs because of the nature of insurance, meaning some plans are under the jurisdiction of the state government and many more are ERISA plans governed by the federal government.

Scope of practice state legislation represented another set of issues brought to the forefront. One relatively new effort shared by Virginia and Tennessee is the new “doctor of medical science” degree. This degree path is open to physician assistants who are licensed/certified and who want additional training. Unfortunately, many believe this represents a workaround for physician assistants to practice medicine without needing to go to medical school and doing a residency program.  Pennsylvania is not represented in the schools offering the degree, but POMA is on alert.

Finally, there are many resolutions that are being considered by the AOA that may have implications for state government affairs efforts.  We will be reviewing these items and will share them with you.

POMA Membership Status

Active – marked by present movement or use. 
Grace – an act of kindness, courtesy or clemency.

Do you know which you are?

Your current POMA status is 

If your status is active, we have received your dues for the 2019-20 membership year and thank you!

If it is anything else, your membership ends on September 30. This also means you lose access to all member benefits like your CME records.

Active members can access their CME records on-line at their convenience. Active members can print out the CME certificate to the Annual Clinical Assembly with a simple button click. Active members can upload programs they’ve attended accredited by other organizations very soon and have a complete picture of their professional development over the two-year cycle. But if you are ”Graced” it means your access ends on September 30.

We’ve made it easy for you to renew online through the POMA website. Log into www.poma.org, update your profile, and renew. For your convenience, your username is 

It’s as simple as that! It’s easier than ever to remain a part of our osteopathic community.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

District Dish

District 12

POMA 12 Members gathered at the Pinecrest Country Club for a product theater and CME event on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. 

The evening commenced with a product theater presentation titled "Selecting a Treatment for Adults with T2D – Two Once Daily Therapy Options," Jeffrey Freeman, DO and a CME Presentation on the "Overview of Medical Care in Adults with Diabetes," Kyle Diller, DO PGY3.

After the presentations, members received a Legislative Update from Dr. Johnson who reviewed several current bills in the Senate and House of Representatives along with POMA’s position and the impact this legislature has on our patients and our profession. In particular, Senate Bill 25, SB 675, SB 699 and House Bill 3 were discussed. The roll of the Political Action Committee was discussed and all were encouraged to contribute to the PAC. The group was encouraged to regularly read the POMA Newsletter for updates from Andy Sandusky, POMA Executive VP Public Policy & Association Affairs.

READ MORE >>

CMS Seeks Public Feedback to Further Reduce Regulatory Burden for Physicians 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a Request for Information to solicit new ideas from the medical community on how to continue the progress of the Patients Over Paperwork initiative to reduce administrative regulatory burden under Medicare and Medicaid programs. Regulatory, policy or practice management recommendations to further minimize burden and improve administrative efficiency may include, but are not limited to the following areas:

• Modification or streamlining of reporting requirements, documentation requirements, or processes to monitor compliance to CMS rules and regulations;
• Aligning of Medicare, Medicaid and other payer coding, payment and documentation requirements, and processes;
• Enabling of operational flexibility, feedback mechanisms, and data sharing that would enhance patient care, support the clinician-patient relationship, and facilitate individual preferences; and
• New recommendations regarding when and how CMS issues regulations and policies and how CMS can simplify rules and policies for beneficiaries, clinicians, and providers.

If you have suggestions or comments on how CMS can further reduce administrative regulatory burden for physicians, please email them to Lisa Miller, MS, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy Engagement. CMS will accept comments until Aug. 12, 2019, and will consider all input as future regulatory proposals and policy guidance is developed.

Public Health Points

The Pennsylvania Department of Health wants you to be aware of the following hot topics:

• Poison hemlock is now in peak bloom and spreading throughout Pennsylvania.  All parts of the plant are poisonous.  Sap from the plant can produce a rash similar to poison ivy.  Click here for a poison hemlock information sheet, published by the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
• We’re half way through summer and the temperatures keep climbing.  Extreme heat can be dangerous so be sure to stay hydrated, limit your time outside and avoid alcohol.  Be sure to check on your neighbors (especially the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions), never leave children or pets in a vehicle and know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Click here to learn about the difference between heat-related illnesses.
• Did you know the number of young people using e-cigarettes is increasing throughout Pennsylvania and nationally?  E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.  The e-cigarette aerosol is not “harmless water vapor”, rather it can contain harmful substances including nicotine, chemicals linked to lung disease, and cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals.  Set a good example by being tobacco-free.  Need help quitting?  Visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. 

APOMA will be holding a 50/50 Raffle during this year's POFPS 44th Annual CME Symposium in Hershey, PA. This raffle aims to raise funds for the stethoscopes that POMA presents to first-year osteopathic students. 

Please make sure you stop by the APOMA booth to get your tickets! 

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
4. Policy Points
5. POMA Membership Status
   
6. District Dish
7. CMS Seeks Public Feedback to Further Reduce Regulatory Burden for Physicians 
8. LECOM CME Conference
9. Public Health Points
10. APOMA 50/50 Raffle
11. Upcoming District Events
12. Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings
13. POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
14. Applications for Membership
15. Classified Advertisements
16. Follow POMA on Social Media
17. POMPAC
18. Save the Date - Upcoming CME Conferences

Upcoming District Events 

Please address all correspondence for POMA Box Letters to: c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA  17111-2395.

PHYSICIANS WANTED:

ROWANSOM SEEKS A CHAIR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS. The position provides leadership, director and development of all teaching, clinical, research, community, and support activities within the Department of Pediatrics. Candidates must hold a DO or MD degree, be either AOA or ABMS board certified in pediatrics, and have five years of professional experience. The RowanSOM clinical campus is located in South Jersey, 8 miles from Philadelphia, 1 hour from the Atlantic Ocean and 2 hours from New York City. Click here for more information and to apply online. 

ATTENTION DOs! MD AT HOME, Inc., is in need of a part-time doctor (great for retired doctors) one to two days a week making home visits to the elderly and the disabled that are homebound.  Chauffeured by a medical assistant in a company vehicle to scheduled appointments. Email [email protected] for more information.

Family Medicine Residency Core Faculty Position — Crozer-Keystone Health System, in suburban Philadelphia, is seeking a Family Medicine Physician for a Core Faculty position in our nationally recognized Residency Program. Must have broad-based inpatient and outpatient clinical skills and strong interest in teaching residents and medical students. Excellent benefits, generous CME allowance and malpractice insurance with tail coverage. Email CV to [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/CrozerFamilyMedicine for more information.

OPPORTUNITY — PHYSICIAN POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Media and Lancaster. Flexible hours, private practice, 3-4 hour shifts, no on-call, malpractice insurance needed. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 610-566-8885

PRACTICES WANTED: Retiring physicians, part-time or full-time practices, call 215-669-4001.

CLASSIFIED AD
RATES
— Per insertion —

Member Ads*: $10 for the first 20 words, $.25 for each additional word. $2 each for special services: box letter, all caps or all bold type, boxing an ad in.

Non-member Ads: (Payment must be received in advance.) $50 for the first 20 words, .50 each additional word. $5 for each special service (listed above).

*Please Note: Member ad rate to be used only by POMA members and only for their medicine- or practice-related ads. Charges for other types of members’ ads will be calculated using the non-member ad rate.

POMA does not take a position of endorsing any organizations, individuals or services whose classified advertisements appear in this publication. The POMA Newsletter reserves the right to select and edit all advertisements submitted.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

POMPAC is 
the collective voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.

Send your personal check today to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card! 

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

SAVE THE DATE - Upcoming CME Conferences

POFPS 44th Annual CME Symposium & 60th Anniversary Celebration

Aug, 9-11, 2019
Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
Registration Now Open!

POMA District 8 33rd Annual Educational Winter Seminar
Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2020
Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington, PA
Registration will open fall 2019!

POMA 112th Annual Clinical Assembly
Apr. 29 – May 2, 2020
Radisson Valley Forge, King of Prussia, PA
Registration will open winter 2019!

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 ext 170 or email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111  (717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org