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Short, Topical and Timely

November 16, 2009

AAMC releases new data on physician workforce

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.

Previous Editions of AAMC STAT

November 9, 2009 | November 7, 2009 | November 2, 2009 | October 26, 2009

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