OMA BOT Book 4.24.2024

8. Observation: we never know what might happen at a meeting. Resolutions can even be introduced in the meeting. If we are not present, we cannot participate. Further, the AMA is involved in all areas of Medicine. Often, there may be no or few resolutions directly relevant to obesity. Nevertheless, AMA plays a role in health care policy, and can influence governmental decisions regarding the affordable care act, Medicare payment, etc. AMA played an important role in repealing the Medicare SGR formula, which benefits reimbursement for Medicare patients for all physicians. 9. Coalitions: At the AMA it’s all about who knows who. Being present at meetings raises awareness both for the delegate and for the OMA. Every time we speak up, the entire AMA hears the words “Obesity Medicine Association.” Many delegates serve for 20 years or even more. Over time, those relationships are critical if we want to influence AMA policy. 10. Representation of the OMA: while delegates primarily are tasked with advocating the views of the OMA, the reality is each delegate will have many ties within the AMA. For example, I can attend meetings of AAFP, SSS, Colorado and Western Mountain States. In the past, I was part of YPS (young physician section). Delegates can sit with Women Physicians, Private Practice Physicians, Minority Affairs, ……. Some day, I can join the senior physicians section. Further, now that we have our own caucus, delegates may be working on behalf of the caucus. This means our resolutions may be getting drafted as part of the caucus vs. solely on behalf of the OMA. Surviving the first meeting I recommend the following approach to delegates attending the AMA meetings: 1. Review handbook prior to meeting. (first titles / resolved clauses, then entire handbook as time permits) 2. Identify resolutions of potential interest to the OMA. These may include resolutions directly related to obesity or co-morbidities, issues related to medications, surgery, devices, delivery of care, insurance reimbursement, board of trustee reports, etc. 3. Discuss via email resolutions delegates should review with all attendees (delegate, alternate, any others). If any EC or board members desire to be part of this discussion, they should identify themselves to be looped in on these initial discussions. To be clear, this is extremely time intensive. 4. If there are directly relevant items identified that require discussion by the EC or by the board, and they require discussion because we need to understand whether or not to support or not support a resolution, particularly because OMA policy or position is unclear, these items should be brought to the attention of the EC prior to the meeting. Otherwise, the delegate(s) are tasked with participating in the meeting in accordance with OMA policies, positions and strategic objectives. 5. Delegates may meet prior to the reference committee meetings to discuss resolutions and identify who will go to which reference committee(s) and agree on who is speaking on any of the identified resolutions or reports. 6. The delegate(s) should speak for or against items directly or peripherally related to obesity. For these statements, the delegate(s) should identify that they are speaking on behalf of the OMA.