On Wednesday evening, the House passed the medical malpractice legislation  (HR 1215) that AAOMS has vigorously advocated. The near party-line vote was 218-210 with 6 members not voting.

One amendment was agreed to during the floor debate and was included in the bill. It does the following:

• Allows a physician to apologize to a patient for an unintended outcome without having the apology count against them in the court of law.
• Requires a plaintiff to provide a notice of intent to the physician 90 days before the lawsuit is filed.
  Defers to sundry state laws regarding lawsuits and outlines requirements witnesses must meet for testimony during trial.
• One amendment failed that would have given affirmative defense to defendants in health care liability cases if they can show they complied with clinical practice guidelines.

It will be an uphill battle in the Senate so our work is not done. We must support AAOMS’ legislative efforts.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Please click on this link to send a letter to your Senators:

Grassroots campaign aimed at the Senate.

Simply fill in your name and demographic information and the system will develop a letter to go to your Senators from you. Freely edit the letter or send as is.

Thanks for your help!

Alfred E. Pesto, Jr., DMD
President

Dr. Patrick G. Allen, of Highlands, North Carolina, passed away suddenly on May 15. He was in the arms of his loving wife, Patricia Flewellyn Allen, who shared his love for 33 years.

Pat was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Millsaps College, where he earned a double Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and physics and a minor degree in biology. He then attended the University of Tennessee, Memphis, dental school where he earned a Doctor of Dental Science degree. He was then commissioned to the United States Air Force as a dentist and served as a Colonel at Aviano Air Force Base in Italy. He enjoyed traveling throughout Italy and Germany during his time in Europe. He returned to the US and practiced dentistry in Atlanta for a short time before furthering his career as an oral surgeon. He trained in oral surgery as a fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he also received a Master of Science degree. He then moved to Macon, Georgia, where he practiced for almost 30 years.

He was a member of the American Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Association and served as president of the Georgia Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. His compassion for his patients was felt by all.

He lived in Highlands, North Carolina for 23 years where he and his wife opened the Morning Star Inn and operated it for 7 years before retiring. He lived a full life and enjoyed traveling the world, scuba diving, theater, classical music and reading.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Pat) Allen, children Julie Johnson Osborn, Henry Lee Johnson, III, Kevin Drew Allen, Stephanie Lynn Allen, Jennifer Allen Johannessen and six grandchildren.

He was the epitome of a fine southern gentleman and his kindness and loving spirit will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cashiers Highlands Humane Society, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717 in honor of Miss Lucy, who brought so much joy to Pat’s life.

Dear GSOMS Members:

HB 71 is legislation currently in the Georgia House Rules Committee addressing various aspects of network adequacy, surprise billing and reimbursement, and other related matters. The Georgia Society of the ACS, along with the Medical Association of Georgia and other state medical organizations, are working to keep this legislation from passing.

The bill has two prominent antitrust concerns:

• As a condition of medical staff participation, physicians are mandated to accept the same insurance plans as the hospital;
• As a condition of medical staff participation, the hospitals “shall receive the power to contract for the network participation of its providers (employed and private practice) with health benefit plans of such insurers, provided that such health care providers shall be responsible for negotiating all other terms, conditions and prices.”

Please contact the House Rules Committee (contact information below) and do the following:

• Share the attached legal opinion that states the legal flaws with HB 71 (HB 71 – Legal Opinion.pdf); and
• Request that HB 71 stay in Rules and NOT go the floor of the House of Representatives.

If your representative is a member of the Rules Committee please focus on him or her; otherwise, make your voice heard to the chair and vice chair of the committee.

Click here to view a list of the Rules Committee roster.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE

June 9 – 11, 2017
Chicago, Illinois

Please join Geistlich Biomaterials and the symposium sponsors at a one of a kind Multidisciplinary Treatment Solutions for Peri-Implantitis Symposium in Chicago. This interactive and didactic three-day event will cover topics addressing Peri-Implantitis, presented by world-class international speakers with expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment associated with Peri-Implantitis complications.

This multidisciplinary approach engages all dental professionals who are interested and are responsible for the placement, maintenance, restoration and preservation of dental implants.

Download Flyer