Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Conference Call
March 21, 2001

IN ATTENDANCE: Robert McNamara, MD; Joseph Wood, MD, JD; Drew Fenton, MD; Carol Barsky, MD; William Durkin, MD; Antoine Kazzi, MD; Geoffrey Mitchell, MD; Margaret O'Leary, MD; Raymond Roberge, MD; Tom Scaletta, MD; Leslie Zun, MD. Staff: Kay Whalen.

Absent: Howard Blumstein, MD; Tobey Williams, MD.

Dr. McNamara welcomed everyone, particularly the new Board members, to the call and drew their attention to the first agenda item.

I. Approval of February 22, 2001 Minutes

Dr. McNamara asked if there were any corrections to the draft minutes included in the agenda packet. There being none, Dr. Scaletta moved and Dr. Wood seconded that the minutes of the February 22, 2001 Board meeting be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

II. President's Report

Dr. McNamara reported that he had recently spoken at Johns Hopkins and was scheduled to speak at Hennepin, the University of Pennsylvania and the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.

Dr. McNamara also noted that AAEM will be presenting the educational session that he routinely presents at residency programs entitled "The History and Current State of EM" at the SAEM meeting on May 5th immediately preceding the Board meeting.

III. Treasurer's Report

Dr. Fenton then turned the Board's attention to the February 28, 2001 financial statements that had been faxed to the Board. He noted that dues revenue was up slightly from last year and that not all of the Scientific Assembly bills had been paid. Therefore, AAEM would have a better overall picture of AAEM's financial health during the May Board meeting.

Dr. Wood questioned the fact that state chapter income and expenses were shown on AAEM's financial statements. After much discussion, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that staff explore the feasibility of opening a separate bank account for AAEM state chapter funds and report back to the Executive Committee. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IV. Membership Report

Ms. Whalen reported that membership totals were 5% over last year's totals at this point of the year. Dr. McNamara noted that this was the time of year that Board members usually called non-renewing members. Staff will ask for volunteers to call non-renewing members.

Dr. McNamara also asked Dr. Roberge if he had suggestions for a new membership chair. Dr. Roberge suggested Toby Vandenberg, MD. Dr. EcNamara will contact him to see if he is interested in serving AAEM in this capacity.

V. JEM Associate Editor

Dr. McNamara reminded the Board of an earlier discussion on the proposed second AAEM associate journal editor for JEM. He asked the ad hoc committee that had reviewed the applicants for their recommendation. Dr. Scaletta reported that the committee felt that Ed Panacek, MD, would be the best choice for this position. Dr. O'Leary moved and Dr. Wood seconded that AAEM recommend Dr. Panacek to JEM as AAEM's second associate editor. MOTION PASSED 9-0-1 with Dr. Barsky abstaining.

VI. Group Integrity Clauses Policy Statement

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the proposed AAEM policy statement on group integrity clauses. After a brief discussion, Dr. McNamara suggested that this agenda item be tabled until the May Board meeting where it could be discussed in person.

VII. AAEM-CAL/ACEP Reciprocal Agreement for 2002 Scientific Assembly Registration Fees

Dr. Kazzi then requested that AAEM once again offer a reduced registration fee to CAL/ACEP members at AAEM's Scientific Assembly. Dr. O'Leary moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that AAEM offer CAL/ACEP members a reduced registration fee at the 2002 Scientific Assembly. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VIII. Creation of an Honorary AAEM International Membership

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the next agenda item. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that AAEM add an honorary class of membership for presidents of international societies. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

This will be reflected in the bylaws as:

4.7 Honorary International Membership

An honorary international membership is available to presidents of international societies. Honorary international members shall have no right to vote.

IX. AAEM-ACEP Talks

Dr. McNamara then asked the Board to review the letter from Robert Schafermeyer, MD, president of ACEP, that was included in the agenda materials. He noted that this had not been discussed at the February meeting due to the fact that the composition of the Board was changing at that meeting. He then suggested that this issue be discussed at the May in-person Board meeting. Those on the call concurred.

X. Legislative Initiatives

Next, Dr. McNamara presented the 2001-2002 AAEM Legislative Agenda as proposed by Drs. McNamara and Kazzi and Washington Representative, James Thorne. A discussion on other issues that concerned the Board then followed. Dr. McNamara reminded the Board that the adoption of this agenda did not preclude the addition of other issues throughout the year. Dr. O'Leary moved and Dr. Wood seconded that the following legislative agenda be adopted:

2001 AAEM Legislative/Regulatory Agenda

1. Patient protections including the prudent layperson standard for emergency services with no requirement for a "post-stabilization" call to MCOs.

2. Mandated funding for medical screening exams required by the EMTALA statutes.

3. Working with GAO in their evaluation of EMTALA.

4. Implications of Stark II for Emergency Medicine.

5. Working with the OIG regarding Medicare provider numbers for the contract management group industry.

6. Collective bargaining for physicians whether or not they are involved in a union.

7. Extending basic health care coverage to more Americans.

8. Increasing the supply of nurses.

9. Opposing the substitution of less qualified providers for physicians.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

XI. Stresa Update

Dr. Kazzi reported that there were nearly 200 registrants for the meeting. He suggested that Board members make their airline reservations soon and noted that the Regina Palace would be

the most convenient hotel to the convention center. Ms. Whalen reminded the Board that they were to make their own air and hotel reservations for this meeting.

XII. Upcoming Meetings

Ms. Whalen asked those Board members who had not yet responded to her request regarding the number of hotel nights that they would require for the May meeting to do so. The AAEM Board will be staying at the Sheraton Atlanta, two blocks from the SAEM headquarters hotel.

XIII. New Business

Dr. McNamara then asked the Board to consider endorsing Bill #283 from the AMA. After a brief discussion, Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. O'Leary seconded that AAEM endorse Bill #283. MOTION PASSED 9-0-1.

Dr. McNamara reminded the Board that the AAEM templates were complete and referred to the e-mail that they had received from David Moss, MD, encouraging Board members to consider using the templates in their own institutions.

There being no further business, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the conference call meeting be adjourned. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Organizational Director