The president of the American Medical Association (AMA), Jack Resneck Jr., remains hopeful about the future of the US healthcare system despite challenges in 2022. He emphasized the need for prior authorization reform and tying Medicare payments to inflation. Resneck also highlighted progress in addressing physician burnout, increasing medical school applications, and positive developments in healthcare policies. The AMA’s efforts in advocating for physicians and patients were acknowledged, demonstrating a positive outlook for the healthcare system’s recovery and success.
In a recent address to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, Jack Resneck Jr., MD, the president of the AMA, expressed optimism about the future of the US healthcare system. Despite ongoing issues such as Medicare payment cuts and physician burnout, Resneck highlighted the progress made through federal and state policies implemented over the past year.
Physician burnout continues to be a concern, as it may worsen staffing shortages in the healthcare sector. Resneck emphasized that one in five physicians plans to leave their practice within the next two years, and one in three is reducing their working hours. Moreover, only 57 percent of current doctors would choose medicine again if they were starting their careers over.
Resneck attributed the burden faced by physicians to various factors, including prior authorization challenges, Medicare payment cuts, the spread of medical misinformation, and political interference in care decisions. He emphasized the need to link future Medicare payments to inflation, urging a national effort to achieve this through Congressional action.
To address prior authorization issues, legislative actions have been taken to minimize requirements and streamline the process. For instance, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule, which establishes new guidelines for health plans regarding prior authorization. The rule ensures that prior authorization is used only to confirm medical necessity and the presence of a diagnosis or other medical criteria.
Despite the presence of misinformation and the politicization of healthcare, Resneck asserted that progress is being made in the right direction. Lawmakers from both parties support prior authorization reform, indicating a future with fewer care delays and a reduced administrative burden.
Resneck also highlighted positive developments in healthcare. Mississippi, which experienced significant COVID-19 disparities, now boasts one of the highest vaccination rates among black residents. Furthermore, despite physician burnout and staffing shortages, medical school applications are at an all-time high.
The AMA, through its Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians, has played a role in extending Medicare telehealth coverage, opposing unsafe expansions of the scope of practice, establishing wellness programs for physicians, and reforming licensing and credentialing processes. Resneck also mentioned the AMA’s influence on key provisions beyond the Recovery Plan, including the FDA’s move to make Naloxone available over the counter and potentially doing the same for oral contraceptives. Additionally, the FDA expanded blood donation eligibility to include gay and bisexual men.
Resneck acknowledged the AMA’s litigation center, which has been actively involved in lawsuits against Cigna for unfair treatment of doctors and patients. The AMA also successfully challenged parts of the No Surprises Act rules that favored insurance companies over patients, thanks to the efforts of the Texas Medical Association and the AMA.
Finally, despite the hurdles faced in 2022, the AMA president expressed confidence in the US healthcare system’s ability to recover and move towards success.
