This week the AAMC released the 2009 State
Physician Workforce Data Book. The data book, developed by the
AAMC Center for Workforce Studies, presents data and ranking by
state on the physician supply, medical school enrollment, GME, and
retention of physicians educated and trained. Among the report's
key findings is a substantial variance in physician-to-population
ratios, from 405 per 100,000 residents in Massachusetts to 174 per
100,000 in Mississippi.
Medical school curriculum changes
featured in The Washington Post
An article published in the The Washington Post Nov. 10 featured several AAMC-member
medical schools that are changing their curricula to adapt to "a
dramatically changing medical landscape." AAMC Chief Advocacy Officer
Atul Grover, M.D., Ph.D., is quoted in the article.
Survey: economy still taking toll on hospitals
A survey conducted by the American Hospital Association (AHA) found that
six in 10 hospitals report seeing more uninsured patients in the
emergency department. In addition, nearly half of hospitals report
declining margins, and one-third report a negative total margin.
Nearly all hospitals are making changes to address these economic
challenges, including staff or service cuts, according to the survey
results.
VA blue ribbon panel releases final report
Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the
final report of the Blue-Ribbon
Panel on VA-medical school affiliations. The panel, chaired by AAMC
President Emeritus Jordan Cohen, M.D., was charged with providing
advice to the VA secretary on a framework to enhance relationships
with medical schools and other health professional colleges and
universities. Recommendations included the formation of a standing
advisory committee and the need to examine and streamline policies
and procedures. The VA Office of Academic Affiliations is expected
to develop a comprehensive implementation plan by Jan. 15.
MedPAC continues GME discussion
Last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) focused
on the funding sources for graduate medical education (GME) as part
of its ongoing discussion on Medicare payment policies. The discussion included the concept
of a national medical education trust fund that would supplement
medical education funding and aggregate resources "into an entity
that can assess U.S. needs." While still in the discussion phase,
commissioners anticipate making recommendations on GME funding in
MedPAC's June 2010 report.
AHA to tackle variations
Through a new report and task force, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is addressing
geographic variations in health care spending, and the consequences
those variations may have for providers, patients, and communities.
A recent issue of AHA Trendwatch stated that recent policy proposals
on variations fail to account for a complex array of factors that
influence the variations in spending. The task force will examine
the key contributors to geographic variation in health care spending.
