Medicine Challenged Insurance Mega-Mergers and Won
On April 28, a federal appeals court upheld the lower court’s ruling to block industry giant Anthem’s proposed acquisition of Cigna. This is a monumental win for America’s patients and physicians, which was made possible through medicine’s joint leadership -- most notably collaboration between the Arkansas Medical Society…
Arkansas Trauma System Saves Lives and Taxpayers’ Money
Journal of the American College of Surgeons study authors report that, after implementation of the publicly funded state trauma system, preventable mortality rate decreased by 48 percent CHICAGO (March 8, 2017): Implementation of a statewide trauma system in Arkansas cut the rate of preventable deaths due to injuries…
Schexnayder named to international pediatric task force
AMS member, Dr. Steve Schexnayder has been appointed to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Pediatric Task Force, which reviews the latest science to develop pediatric resuscitation guidelines used throughout the world. The task force is made up of 17 pediatric resuscitation experts from North America, Central and South America,…
NEA Baptist to open grief center
AMS group member, NEA Baptist Clinic, recently announced the NEA Baptist Center for Good Grief, as part of the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation’s continued commitment to the needs of the community. The NEA Baptist Center for Good Grief will open October 2017 at 1717 Executive Square in Jonesboro…
Dr. Smith Honored (x2)
Two long-time AMS members, Dr. David E. Smith of Little Rock and Dr. John D. Smith of Conway, were recently recognized by their communities. Dr. David Smith was the recipient of the Fay Boozman Award, an award given annually by the Arkansas Physicians Resource Council division of Family Council.…
Weight-Loss Surgery Arrives at Heart Hospital
AMS group member, Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock, recently began offering weight-loss surgery as a way to fight heart disease and rising obesity rates in Arkansas. The newly formed Bariatric & Metabolic Institute at the Arkansas Heart Hospital started seeing patients at the first of the year and has had "hundreds of patients"…
Ark clinics participate in new payment model
Arkansas is recognized nationally as a leader in value-based healthcare payment innovation. In 2012 the state launched an episodic payment model and was also selected for the original Comprehensive Primary Care initiative (CPC). Arkansas’s efforts were reinforced in 2013, when the state was one of only six regions…
AMS Welcomes 66 New Members
By joining the Arkansas Medical Society (AMS), the physicians and medical students listed below have illustrated their commitment to improving health care in their communities and our state. “As AMS members, these individuals are part of a statewide network of over 4,300 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students,…
Republicans release modified version of health care bill
USA Today (3/20, Groppe) reports that Republicans released a modified bill Monday night “in an attempt to shore up support among both conservatives and moderates.” The revised bill would allow states “to require able-bodied Medicaid recipients without dependents to work beginning in October.” In addition, “states could receive…
Board of Trustee Election Results
The elections for AMS district trustees concluded on February 28. Nearly 500 AMS members voted in the elections featuring 28 physician candidates. The following were elected for 2-year terms and will be confirmed at the House of Delegates meeting on May 6: District 1 - Larry (Jack) Johnson…
AMS Disability Insurance
According to The Council for Disability Awareness, at some time during their working careers, three out of every ten workers will suffer a disability and be unable to work for a significant period of time. Disability insurance provides invaluable protection for your most valuable asset, your ability to…