According to a presentation from the president of the American Medical Association (AMA), the association is still working on issues that affect dermatologists and other physicians. Steven J. Stack, MD, an emergency department physician practicing in Lexington, said that medical advances have been happening at the same time when there are interruptions in the doctor-patient relationship. It means that is the best of times and worst of times, as per Stack.

During the presentation at the plenary session of the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Stack talked about a number of problems that medicine sector is facing. He said, “AAD has fantastic data and was able to work with the ACA to begin to change the situation. Now Medicare Advantage plans will have to keep their data current and all the Medicare exchange plans will have to update monthly by 2016”. According to Stack, that was a big step forward.

Stack said Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate, or SGR, is among the rare issues that unite most of the physicians of the country. It is such a misguided policy, Stack further added. According to Stack, in 2014, the policies that could have helped the method made it partially through the Congressional process. Stack hoped that this week, the House of Representatives will pass a bill related to the SGR.

He said if SGR will not be fixed, then there is no hope of getting other payment delivery reforms done properly. Electronic health records, or EHR, telehealth and teledermatology are also some of the big issues, as per Stack. He said skin cancer has a unique importance to dermatology.

As per Stack, AMA, which is the largest association of physicians, was helpful in seven more different stages getting laws to restrict access of tanning beds for individuals under 18. So far, there are over 20 states that have laws regarding tanning beds and minors, he added.