Your AMA Membership Matters

HRS’ Resolution at the AMA House of Delegates on Visas for Foreign Medical Personnel

CHICAGO, IL – At its recent annual meeting in Chicago, the American Medical Association (AMA) overwhelmingly supported the Society’s recommendations that the AMA advocate to exempt physicians from current delays in the H1-B visa process for International Medical Graduates, and study the impact of these delays on the U.S. physician workforce and patient access to medical care.

The Heart Rhythm Society recently presented to the American Medical Association’s (AMA) House of Delegates a resolution that the AMA advocate to exempt physicians from current delays in the H1-B visa process for International Medical Graduates, and study the impact of these delays on the U.S. physician workforce and patient access to medical care. The American College of Cardiology, the American Society for Echocardiography, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions signed on to the Society’s resolution. The resolution specifically recommended that AMA advocate for the timely processing of visas for physicians to fill residency and fellowship training spots; study the current impact of immigration reform efforts on residency and fellowship training programs, physician supply, and timely access of patients to healthcare throughout the US; and that AMA update the House of Delegates by the 2017 Interim Meeting on the impact of immigration barriers on the physician workforce.

A seat in the AMA’s House of Delegates provides HRS with an opportunity to bring important issues to the attention of the AMA’s advocacy efforts and the AMA overwhelmingly supported the recommendations.

In addition to policy-making, HRS’ seat in the AMA House of Delegates provides HRS with an advisory role to the CPT Editorial Panel and the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). Through the CPT and RUC, the Society works to develop payment codes for new technologies; and recommend payment values for new and existing EP services. Recently valued services have included S-ICD, left atrial appendage occlusion procedures, device interrogation and remote monitoring.

Each HRS member’s AMA membership is what gives the Society it’s very important voice. We urge US-based members to either renew or become an AMA member.

###

About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education, and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal healthcare policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, D.C., it has a membership of more than 8,600 heart rhythm professionals from 94 countries. For more information, visit HRSonline.org.