Florida Discusses Policy Changes With Focus On Access To Care

The 500-member Florida Medical AssociationHouse of Delegates over the weekend in Hollywood, Fla., met to discussa number of potential policy changes, with much of the focus on accessto care, the Miami Herald reports.

KarlAltenburger, an allergist who became FMA president over the weekend,said that the group has entered a "period of transition" and faces manychanges in health care during the next five to 10 years. According toAltenburger, some physicians in high-risk specialties have decided toleave the state because of Amendment 8, a ballot measure passed byvoters in 2004 that allows the revocation of the licenses of physicianswho lose three malpractice lawsuits. The state to date has not revokedthe licenses of any physicians under the amendment.

Altenburgeralso said that high malpractice insurance premiums and low Medicaidreimbursement rates have prompted some physicians to leave the state.In addition, he said that the federal government has continued to limitthe number of positions for medical residents in the state. An FMAspokesperson said that the meetings and sessions of delegates are"private" and that the group will announce any policy changes at alater time (Dorschner, Miami Herald, 8/25).

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