MMA News
Physicians Put Forward Resolutions
The MMA’s 155th House of Delegates will consider about 40 resolutions at this year’s annual meeting in St. Paul.
Considering resolutions, which help shape the MMA’s policy and overall direction, is the main work of the House of Delegates. Resolutions are first debated in reference committees, which then recommend action by the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates can vote to adopt, not adopt, refer to the Board, amend a resolution, or adopt a substitute resolution.
This year, the House will consider whether the MMA should
- Take a position on stem cell research,
- Oppose allowing retail clinics to operate in any store that sells tobacco or alcohol,
- Support a single-payer health care system in the United States,
- Adopt policy that says physicians should not be penalized if patients don’t participate in achieving pay-for-performance goals,
- Lower the blood lead level that calls for action and concern,
- Support a state law that makes it illegal to provide a venue for underage drinking,
- Encourage the state to increase the amount of physical education required in elementary schools, and
- Work to increase the amount of student loan forgiveness dollars available to rural physicians.
Visit www.mmaonline.net to find out what the House decides on these ideas.
Schoephoerster Resigns as MMA President-elect
George Schoephoerster, M.D., has resigned his position as president-elect of the MMA. Because of personal circumstances, he will not be able to serve as the 2008-09 president.
Schoephoerster expressed his profound disappointment at having to turn down this opportunity to lead the MMA. He still plans to be active in the organization and in health care reform efforts and will continue to serve on the Health Care Reform Review Council.
The change will mean that the MMA House of Delegates will convene on September 18 to elect a president. The inaugural ball will be held that evening.
Annual Meeting Isn't All Work
The heavy lifting at the MMA’s Annual Meeting is conducted by the House of Delegates, which crafts policy. But MMA members who are not delegates also have opportunities to participate.
All members are invited to socialize with colleagues at the welcome reception on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Members are encouraged to register, but registration is not required.
Members who are not delegates also can attend a host of events on Thursday, September 18.
At noon, the MMA will honor outstanding physicians at an awards luncheon. The keynote speaker will be Kimble Ross, a public affairs consultant and former lobbyist for the Texas Medical Association. He advises state and national officeholders and political candidates on health care policy and often lectures at universities, medical schools, and national conferences on politics and health care policy.
After the luncheon, the MMA is offering three CME courses: How to Manage/Lead through Conflict; Transforming Primary Care: Developing Health Care Homes in Minnesota; and Motivational Interviewing: Facilitating Patient Behavior Change. There is no cost to enroll in the courses, but registration is required.
To register, visit www.mmaonline.net or contact Vicki Westling at 612/362-3764 or vwestling@mnmed.org.
Nomineess for MMA Offices Announced
The MMA Board of Trustees accepted the Nomination and Leadership Development Committee’s slate of nominees during its July meeting. Nominations will remain open until the MMA House of Delegates convenes on Thursday, September 17. The House will elect officers on Friday, September 18.
The nominees are:
President-elect
Benjamin H. Whitten, M.D.
Secretary-Treasurer
David E. Westgard, M.D.
Speaker of the House of Delegates
Lyle J. Swenson, M.D.*
Vice Speaker of the House
Karen K. Dickson, M.D.*
AMA Delegates
Kenneth W. Crabb, M.D.*
John M. Van Etta, M.D.*
Paul C. Matson, M.D.†
AMA Alternate Delegates
Benjamin H. Whitten, M.D.*
Blanton Bessinger, M.D.*
David D. Luehr, M.D.
*Candidate for re-election
†Current alternate delegate
When Does the Malpractice Clock Start Running?
In July, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in the case of MacRae vs. Group Health Inc. (GHI) that the point at which the statute of limitations starts for cancer misdiagnosis cases that result in death must be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Under Minnesota statutory law, a wrongful death action based on medical negligence must be brought within three years of the date of death, but not longer than four years from the date of accrual.
The case of MacRae vs. GHI hinged on the definition of “date of accrual.” It was the first case in which the Minnesota Supreme Court was asked to address the exact point at which a cause of action accrues for a misdiagnosis of cancer.
In 2001, a lesion on Roderick MacRae’s leg was biopsied. The results were misdiagnosed as a nonmalignant compound nervus. A subsequent biopsy revealed a metastic-malignant melanoma. MacRae died of the melanoma in August of 2005.
In February of 2006, his wife, Margaret MacRae, sued the two physicians who made the diagnosis and their employer, GHI.
Attorneys for Margaret MacRae argued that the accrual of harm happened when it became more likely than not that the patient would die, rather than at the point of misdiagnosis.
The MMA, along with the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, filed an amicus brief arguing that the point of accrual began at misdiagnosis.
The Minnesota Supreme Court declined to adopt either argument. Instead, it took a “middle ground” view stating that “the determination of the accrual of a cause of action for negligent misdiagnosis of cancer must be based on the facts and circumstances of each case.”
The upshot of the ruling is that courts will have to look at the unique circumstances of future cancer misdiagnosis cases that result in wrongful death to determine when the damage occurred that would signal the date of accrual for the statute of limitations to start running.
Health Care Workers at Risk for Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is a danger for health care workers whose natural sleep patterns may be disrupted by working nights or long, irregular hours. Fortunately, their employers can take advantage of resources to help workers reduce the risk for accidents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Wake Up and Get Some Sleep program, developed by NHTSA in collaboration with the National Center on Sleep Disorders, is designed for organizations that employ workers whose schedules differ from the typical workday. The goals are to increase awareness of the dangers of drowsy driving, help improve the quality of sleep and reduce sleepiness, and ultimately, reduce the incidence of drowsy driving—being too tired to drive safely.
An employer guide, Preventing Drowsy Driving among Shift Workers, includes a video and PowerPoint training session. Also available are posters, brochures, and tip cards.
Visit Resources for Physicians at www.mmaonline.net to find links to these materials.