UPDATE: Arkansas Insurance Department Rule 108 Review
The Rules and Regulations committee will be reviewing Arkansas Insurance Department Rule 108 (Patient-Centered Medical Home Standards) AGAIN on Monday, December 22 at 10 am. By the time the rule came before the committee on December 3, there was no quorum. With opposition from a few legislators on…
Legislative Alert: Patient-Centered Medical Home Standards
The Rules and Regulations committee will be reviewing Arkansas Insurance Department Rule 108 (Patient-Centered Medical Home Standards) on Wednesday, December 3 at 9 am. Please take a moment to contact your state legislators before December 3 and ask for their support of this rule, which makes it clear…
Congratulations!
While AMS has many friends in the legislature, we wish a special congratulations to some of our closest friends for their recent re-election to serve in the 90th Arkansas General Assembly, convening January 12, 2015: State Senator Cecile Bledsoe (Rogers), State Representative Deborah Ferguson, DDS (West Memphis), State…
2015 Doctor of the Day
The Arkansas Medical Society will again sponsor the "Doctor of the Day" program for the 2015 session of the Arkansas legislature. The legislative session will convene on January 12, 2015, and continues for a minimum of 60 days, but the time can be extended by action of the…
Physician Volunteers Needed at the State Capitol
The Arkansas Medical Society will again sponsor the "Doctor of the Day" program for the 2015 session of the Arkansas legislature. This program has been provided by the Society for a number of years and has enhanced the effectiveness of our political efforts. The legislative session will convene on…
Vote!!
Early voting runs from October 20 to November 3. AMS encourages you and your staff to get out and make a difference. One vote CAN make that difference. A 2010 example from here in Arkansas ... two candidates for sheriff in Stone County tied twice, both in the…
Fall Meeting to Be Held Atop Mount Magazine
Join us on Friday, Oct. 31 for the AMS Fall Meeting. Every two years AMS members gather to discuss healthcare issues that may be considered in the upcoming legislative session. We will hear from state representatives and Scott Smith, JD, director of AMS governmental affairs, who will outline…
AMS and AMA Seek Intervention to Support Peer Review Fairness Act
On June 10th, Baptist Health Medical System, Washington Regional Medical Center, and Mercy Health System filed suit in Pulaski County Circuit Court arguing that the Peer Review Fairness Act of 2013 is unconstitutional because it: is preempted by federal law; treats hospitals differently than other similarly situated healthcare…
AMS FOUNDATION ACCOMPLISHES 24-YEAR MISSION
The foundation was founded by the Arkansas Medical Society in 1989 and has utilized the volunteer services of many physicians throughout the state. The goal of the program was to deliver donated care in the same setting as those with insurance coverage, i.e., in the physician's office. Since…
Private Option Passes House with 76-24 Vote
To our members: Thank you for contacting members of the Arkansas House of Representatives in support of the Private Option. Your work helped push the vote past the needed 75 for the appropriation. With our state constitution requiring 75% legislative support for most appropriations over $2.5 million, it…
Public Hearing – Office Based Surgery
The Arkansas State Medical Board will hold a public hearing on Proposed Regulation 35, which establishes rules for physicians performing office based surgery. During the 2013 legislative session, AMS sponsored legislation that became Act 587. Prior to Act 587, the Arkansas Department of Health had determined that office…