AMA To Replace CEO Maves At End Of June
The American Medical Association announced Thursday that CEO Michael Maves will depart in June, when his contract ends.
"Michael Maves, a head and neck surgeon, has been the AMA's executive vice president and CEO since 2001...," The Hill reports. "The trade association, which represents fewer than 20 percent of doctors but is influential in Congress, has come under intense criticism from some of its members for its support of healthcare reform. In a statement, Maves said the end of his contract represents 'a natural opportunity to transition the leadership of the AMA to a new physician executive'" (Pecquet, 11/4).
The Wall Street Journal: "The AMA backed health-care overhaul legislation but was frustrated that a permanent fix to the payment formula for reimbursing physicians wasn't included. Instead, a series of piecemeal 'doc fixes' has prevented increasingly drastic cuts to physician reimbursement. In June Congress approved a fix granting a 2.2% reimbursement increase, but that's good for only six months. And that means that we're about to have the whole debate all over again, with a lame duck Congress. If no action is taken, cuts will go into effect Dec. 1. The AMA is holding a news conference on Monday on this topic" (Hobson, 11/4).
The Associated Press/Chicago Tribune: "The AMA says Maves' departure is a mutual decision. Board of Trustees Chair Ardis Hoven says under Maves' leadership the AMA regained financial stability and had important advocacy successes involving patient care and doctors' pocketbook issues" (11/4)