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PRESIDENT’S PAGE
NANCY FAN, MD
MSD President Nancy Fan, MD is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist who practices with Women to Women OB/GYN in Wilmington and is on the staff of Saint Francis Healthcare.
Legislative Update
In a previous edition of the Delaware Medical Journal, I commented on the fact that there are 17 physicians
in the United States Congress — two senators and 15 representatives. Their presence provides an “insider’s” voice for physicians in Washington, DC, especially now when health care issues, such as the SGR repeal, payment reform, and aspects of the Affordable Care
Act dominate legislation. I believe the primary role of a physician is to care
for patients, but physician advocacy is an important piece that can affect the future of health care delivery and have tangible effects on patient outcomes. In of legislative initiatives as the legislative session comes to an end . This June is no different and in this month’s President’s Page, I would like to review a few of
the legislative items that may affect the delivery of health care.
In June 2014 the AMA adopted a
policy regarding the appropriate use
of telemedicine to improve access and quality of care for patients. Even though there is a lack of a consensus on the the AMA policy statement applies to three areas: store and forward, which includes electronic health data, such as imaging; remote monitoring for chronic diseases, such as EKG, blood pressure,
or glucose levels; and interactive services such as consultation, education, or care management through audio and video technology with
strict safeguards. It recognized that these technologies may be especially applicable when geography separates patients from adequate care. The importance of an established physician- patient relationship, preserving the quality of care of the service, parity of payment, and licensure in the state of practice. Acknowledging that the use
of telemedicine continues to grow in the absence of a regulatory structure, there is a bill in the current Delaware legislature which incorporates these guidelines and safeguards. We expect that the practice of telemedicine will be an issue even after this bill is passed or defeated and MSD will continue to advocate for only safe and appropriate use of this technology.
As the Schoolhouse Rock song,
I’m Only A Bill states, the passage
of legislation is a journey. While
the telemedicine bill’s journey
has only taken a few months, the Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment, or DMOST, bill has been in development for a few years. Addressing the need to discuss end of life care concerns with patients, it
Del Med J | June 2015 | Vol. 87 | No. 6
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